India’s most respected and loved industrialist and philanthropist, as also the community’s living legend – Ratan Tata was recently appointed as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO), for distinguished service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship, particularly related to trade, investment and philanthropy. The announcement was made by Australia’s Governor General, to which Barry O’Farrell, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, expressed his delight in a tweet, on 17^th March, 2023.

Ratan Tata, has been a strong and influential advocate for deeper bilateral ties, including advocating for the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which was finalised in 2022, and supporting visiting business and government leaders in India. “The breadth of Ratan Tata’s contribution to India’s economic and industrial development is matched by the ethical conduct of his businesses and his support for charitable causes,” stated the Australian government… His work includes supporting development and creating opportunity across a wide range of fields including health, nutrition, education, water, agriculture, the environment and energy, social justice and inclusion, digital transformation, disaster relief, and women’s economic empowerment,” said the statement released by the Australia’s Governor General.

It is pertinent to note that through scholarships offered under the Tata family trust, Indian students have been afforded opportunities to study in Australia, deepening people-to-people and economic ties and creating opportunities in Australia’s education sector. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has been based in Australia since 1998, and employs the largest number of Australians of any Indian company, with 17,000 staff and associates. TCS also contributes to the Australian community through a significant pro-bono program which offers complimentary IT services to six not-for-profit Australian organisations in the fields of health and Indigenous leadership.

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, former Chairman of the Tata Group, and one of the richest entrepreneurs in the world, stands tall on the list of India’s most modest entrepreneurs. With a net worth of over $1 billion (as accessed in 2022), Ratan Tata is a humanitarian as also a highly inspiring motivational speaker. He has received numerous international awards and commendations for his contributions to business, industry, engineering, leadership, culture, and peace, including a Doctor of Business honoris causa from the University of New South Wales.