Ratan was beyond honours

On the day of his passing, Ratan Tata was eulogised in the media as ‘India’s Crown Jewel’, ‘Living Legend’, ‘Ultimate Icon’ and so much more.

- SHOBHAA DE

Anchors and editors ran out of words to aptly describe the towering personality who had become a household name, all thanks to his surname—Tata. Not only was it easy to remember, but it was everywhere, virtually in every home, synonymous with success, wealth and power.

Tata Group had established its brand equity as a trusted name even before Rata Tata took charge. If a consumer was looking for a reliable, durable, wellpriced product, just the imprint of the Tata name was sufficient. But it is still fair to say, that post Ratan’s elevation to the top job, it was his personality that drove brand value for every conceivable Tata product—from cars, trucks and airlines to coffee, jewellery and clothes.