Kumar Mangalam Birla remembers ‘partner’ Ratan Tata: A legacy beyond industry

Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, on Thursday condoled the death of Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, describing it as a “personal loss” for him.

Speaking exclusively with India Today TV, Birla paid tribute to Tata’s unparalleled contributions to society and said that his biggest legacy goes beyond this industry as he impacted India in a very real way.

“Ratan Tata’s legacy as a humanitarian and philanthropist will actually be larger than his legacy as an industrialist, which itself has been very large. I knew him from very close quarters. I saw him in the role of a partner, as a member of his board in Tata Steel,” Birla said.

Ratan Tata, who is recognised for transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at the age of 86 on Wednesday night at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

The Aditya Birla Group Chairman also reflected upon Ratan Tata’s simple lifestyle, noting that the only luxury he allowed for himself was that he used to spend on suits and shirts.

“He was very polite. He lived in a very simple home and, despite ageing, he only had two or three domestic staff for him. The only luxury he allowed himself was that he spent money on suits and shirts. He was truly a humanitarian. He ran the Tata Group as a trustee of shareholders and the people. Ratan Tata has left a legacy and a life that I think we all should celebrate,” Birla said.

Talking about the competition and cooperation between Aditya Birla Group and the Tata Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla said that the two groups were like siblings and there was no competition.

“There was never any sense of competition. One would say that the two groups were like siblings, almost with their fortunes inextricably linked with each other. There was a time when we held more shares in Tata companies than the Tatas themselves. Both companies were architects of India post independence. I see great resemblance, culture and the values shared between the two families and the two groups,” he added.