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Ratan Tata

Former Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group

Search every verified Ratan Tata interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2017 interview, Ratan Tata described his approach to entrepreneurship and investment, stating that he accepts that most startups will fail but that the potential for a few to succeed drives his continued interest. He said he would like to be remembered as "a person who made a difference" and as someone responsible for "some change in the way we looked at things." Tata also discussed the structure of the Tata Group, noting that the holding company's ownership by charitable trusts was a "different view of ownership" that prioritized the "common good of mankind" over personal wealth. Tata expressed optimism about India's future under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as "able and capable of and innovative enough to look at India fresh." He recalled that when he approached Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, to relocate a factory, Modi promised land in three days and delivered on that promise. Tata stated that his dream for India is to see it become "an economic power" and "a country of equal opportunity for all Indians." He also reflected on the development of the Tata Indica, saying that despite widespread skepticism, the car achieved a 20% market share and demonstrated that India could produce its own car.

Recent appearances

Notable quotes

“The government can play a very important role in furthering technology which the private sector cannot yet do because it's big money and high risk. Agencies like DARPA have funded long‑shot research that private capital would avoid, enabling industries to take form that otherwise wouldn't exist.”

“We need to recognize that what we're looking at is foreign money. Investors overseas are putting their money behind our entrepreneurs with a magnitude you can't find in India, and it's unfortunate because we are effectively putting our money behind foreign‑owned projects.”

“Mr. Modi as prime minister now is offering India the Indian people a new India; I think we need to give him that opportunity — he's able and capable and innovative enough to look at India fresh, and I for one am optimistic that with his leadership India will be that new India he has promised.”

“I think it was a different view of ownership. The Tata family could have become tremendously wealthy by having distributorships and partnerships, but personal ownership and personal wealth were never the criteria for these companies to be established; they were set up for the better good of humanity.”

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