Respected Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, who died from health complications on Oct 9 aged 86 in Mumbai, had a close relationship with Singapore, exemplified by the honorary citizenship he was given on Aug 29, 2008.
The then chairman of the Tata Group, who helmed the conglomerate for more than 20 years, was given that honour in recognition of his abiding business relationship with Singapore and his contribution to the growth of high-tech sectors here.
Mr Tata was the first Indian to receive the honorary citizenship of Singapore, which was instituted in 2003 to recognise foreigners who have made extensive services to the nation or who have made a significant impact in the areas of business, science and technology, information communications, among other sectors. The life-term award is the country’s highest recognition for a non-Singaporean.
Singapore’s then President S R Nathan presented the award to Mr Tata at a solemn ceremony at the Istana. It was attended by ministers, prominent citizens and top executives of Tata Sons.
At the ceremony, then Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng described Mr Tata as an “exemplary business leader” who helped propel Singapore’s economy by making extensive contributions to its development. “The award is a reflection of Singapore’s gratitude,” Mr Wong said.
Mr Tata was instrumental in expanding and diversifying Tata’s operations in Singapore from steel manufacturing to information technology, from precision engineering to auto components, and other areas. Over the years, his business acumen helped Singapore tap higher value-added growth sectors.
As a young man in the 1960s, he worked at one of the Tata companies in Singapore, long before he returned to India to rise up the corporate ladder at Tata Sons.
In the decades following, he retained his links with the Republic, strengthening business ties in the information technology, auto components and precision engineering sectors.
In March 2014, Mr Tata was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Business by the Singapore Management University (SMU) for his achievements as a visionary entrepreneur and a societal leader. It was presented to him by Singapore’s then Minister for Education Heng Sweet Keat and SMU president Arnoud De Meyer.
The ceremony, which was followed by a dialogue session with Mr Tata, was attended by about 100 guests, including India’s then High Commissioner to Singapore Vijay Thakur Singh.
The citation for the degree said: “Tata is an eminent individual who has exhibited true distinction in business and philanthropy and who has strong and active connections with SMU both directly and through his organisations.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Tata said: “I am pleased to receive this award. I am happy to deepen my relationship with Singapore, and for this opportunity to be able to further engage, nurture and inspire bright university students in Asia to be responsible business leaders who will lead the way in global development in future.”
Several hundred Singaporean university students have benefited from internship opportunities in the Tata Group’s companies through the SMU-Tata relationship.
Mr Tata received a host of honours over the years, including being listed among the 25 most powerful people in business by Fortune magazine in November 2007 and figuring in Time magazine’s 2008 “List of the World’s 100 Most Influential People”.
As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out in his condolence message on X, “Mr Tata was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.”
A licensed pilot who would occasionally fly the company plane, Mr Tata never married and was known for his quiet demeanour, relatively modest lifestyle and philanthropic work.
On Thursday, thousands of people, including corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities, paid their last respects to Mr Tata, underlining his popularity that transcended boundaries and generations. “India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart,” United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said.
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said: “He was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better.”
Draped in the Indian national flag, Mr Tata’s body was kept at a cultural centre in Mumbai, and his funeral was scheduled for later in the day with full state honours.
