Why Ratan Tata is the Sachin Tendulkar of India Inc

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has compared industrialist Ratan Tata with Sachin Tendulkar, saying men like that never retire. Mr Chidambaram was speaking at an event in Mumbai, where he presented Mr Tata with the first CII President's award. Mr Tata, who stepped down as the chairman of Tata Group in December 2012, is the chairman emeritus of the over $100 billion group. We take you on a journey of the Ratan Tata's achievements.

Ratan Tata, who helmed the Tata group for 21 years, is credited with transforming the group through bold decisions including large global acquisitions, even as some of its peers struggled to stay relevant post economic liberalization. During his tenure, the group's revenues grew manifold, totalling $100.09 billion (around Rs 475,721 crore) in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere Rs 10,000 crore in 1991.

Ratan Tata spearheaded the acquisition of overseas companies such as Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover and Corus, and has effectively transformed the group from an India-centric business conglomerate to a Rs 4,75,000 crore-plus multinational business enterprise that draws about 60 per cent of its revenues from abroad.

In 2003, TCS becomes first Indian software company to cross one billion dollars in revenue. TCS remained the highest ranked Indian IT firm globally, with it being placed at 16th position in Gartner's global list.

In 2007, Tata Steel acquired Anglo-Dutch steel-maker Corus. According to a World Steel report, Tata Steel was ranked at 11th position among biggest manufacturers across the globe in 2012.

In 2008, Tata Motors acquired the Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) brands from the Ford Motors, propelling the Tata group company to among world's biggest luxury car manufacturers.

Today the JLR unit accounts for the bulk of profit generated at Tata Motors.

In 2008, Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, setting the platform for India to become a hub for frugal engineering.

In 2012, Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks Coffee Company announced a 50:50 joint venture between the international coffee brand and the Indian company to own and operate Starbucks cafes in India.

In 1998, Tata Motors, under the stewardship of Ratan Tata, unveiled India's first indigenously designed passenger car Tata Indica.

“We can be hurt but cannot be knocked down—this is a memorable day and a tribute to those who saved many lives," Ratan Tata said as the iconic Taj Hotel was reopened after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

In 2000, Tata Global Beverages acquired UK-based Tetley group, making it the world's largest tea producer.