Ratan Tata, one of India’s most loved and successful businessmen who turned 83 today, shared some of his thoughts going into 2021, after the unprecedented, difficult year that was 2020.  Not just his business acumen and ethics, Tata Sons’ Chairman Emeritus is also known for his philanthropic attitude.

He called the COVID-19 pandemic a "test for humanity" and said the world would find a way out of the crisis. "This is a test for the human race, and I am confident that we will find a way," he said in an article titled, "Be humble, but also be brave" published in the Times of India.

 According to Tata, there are many people in India who have good ideas, and innovation has always been intrinsic to the country, he said. As per Tata, businesses and healthcare crises experience cycles, similar to other aspects. "We just don't have the capacity or intent to fund it from within the country," he said.

"Economically, there will be a new low that will require all businesses to transform and adapt to the new normal," he said. "We will, as countries, have to work hard to boost consumption, bring in infrastructure development to create jobs, and find solutions to revive industries and sectors that are in deep depression," he added. Tata also said the significant steps taken by the Indian government will help tackle the economic fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Born in 1937 in Surat, Gujurat, Ratan Tata started his career with Tata Group in 1962 at the age of 25 and later went to Harvard Business School to complete his studies. In 1991, he became the fifth chairman of Tata Group after JRD Tata and took the company to new heights during his tenure. The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons served as the chairman of the company for over two decades and retired in 2012.

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