Indian entrepreneur, industrialist, and philanthropist, Ratan Tata, dead at 86

Overall sentiment and cultural context

• Many commenters express deep sadness, calling his death the end of an era for India.
• He is widely described as humble, kind, and an example of “responsible capitalism,” with very little ostentatious display of wealth.
• “Om Shanti” is frequently invoked; one commenter explains it as a Hindu condolence phrase meaning “may he rest in peace,” typically chanted at cremations.

Tata Group’s reputation and impact

• Multiple comments stress that people outside India may not grasp Tata’s significance; the group is compared to Samsung or Disney in scale and breadth.
• Tata companies are repeatedly described as unusually ethical by Indian standards: relatively honest on taxes, reluctant to pay bribes, and seen as trustworthy partners for foreign firms (e.g., Starbucks, Foxconn).
• One commenter claims ~66% of Tata companies’ earnings flow to charitable trusts rather than to individual wealth, which is offered as the reason Ratan Tata doesn’t appear on rich lists.
• The group is credited with foundational contributions to India’s industrialization, health (notably cancer care), tech, and infrastructure (including a major subsea fiber network).

Philanthropy, ethics, and hero worship

• Many praise his philanthropy, generosity, and concern for animals, citing his instruction to treat stray dogs kindly as emblematic of his character.
• Others warn against hero worship, pointing to historical controversies such as favorable colonial-era coal leases and regulatory disputes; defenders note these predate him or are common corporate behavior.
• A debate emerges over whether “ethical billionaires” can exist; some argue he must be judged relative to peers, not against an unattainable purity standard.

Corporate governance and succession

• Commenters outline the Tata family’s tradition of adopting heirs from the extended family and grooming them as leaders.
• This pattern effectively ended with the appointment of a non-family, non-Parsi chairman after the brief and contentious tenure of a previous heir-apparent (who later died in a car accident).
• Some speculate whether the group will lose its “heart” as it becomes more like a standard global conglomerate.

Experiences with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

• Several commenters report very negative experiences with TCS as an outsourcer: poor execution, low skill levels, ethical concerns, and heavy inefficiency in large Western corporate engagements.
• Others note that, despite such experiences, Tata’s broader economic impact—especially channeling work and capital into India—is enormous and will be viewed differently depending on one’s vantage point.

Work culture and time zones subthread

• A long subthread branches into Indian work hours: many professionals work late (e.g., to 10–11 p.m.) to sync with US/EU clients, making night shifts and 12-hour days common in tech and call centers.