A giant among industrialists, a patriot: Narayana Murthy's tribute to friend Ratan Tata

Under Ratan Tata’s leadership, Tata Group evolved from a traditional, family-run business into a global enterprise, influencing industries from steel to information technology.

He also founded Tata Teleservices in 1996 and oversaw the public listing of Tata Consultancy Services in 2004.

Murthy expressed profound grief over Tata's passing, calling it a monumental loss for India. He described Tata as "a giant among Indian industrialists" and reflected on their three-decade relationship.

Murthy recalled Tata's exceptional blend of "competence, humility, courtesy, curiosity, patriotism, and decency."

In a notable moment in their friendship in 2004, Murthy invited Tata to inaugurate the Jamshedji Tata Room at Infosys.

Tata’s initial response reflected his humility—he was surprised to be asked, given that TCS, the IT firm he led, was a competitor to Infosys.

However, Murthy explained that Jamshedji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, "transcends all Indian companies" due to his legacy as a great patriot, and that Ratan Tata, with the immense respect he commanded, was the right person to honor that legacy.

Murthy's tribute paints a picture of Ratan Tata as not only a towering business figure but also a man who carried his success with grace, humility, and a constant curiosity about life.

Recounting the incident to ET Now, Murthy said, "He said, look, I find it somewhat unusual because TCS is your competitor. I said, no, Ratan, Jamshedji transcends all Indian companies."

In 2020, an iconic moment in their relationship occurred at TiEcon Mumbai, where Murthy presented Tata with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a gesture of deep respect, Murthy bent down to touch Tata's feet on stage, showcasing deep respect. Tata, ever humble, expressed his gratitude for receiving the award from his longtime friend. The pictures from this event went viral, with many praising the humility both men displayed, demonstrating that their mutual respect transcended professional competition.