The Governor-General of Australia has announced the appointment of India’s well-known business tycoon Ratan Tata to the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship, particularly to trade, investment and philanthropy.
Ratan Tata is Chairman Emeritus of India’s one of largest business houses Tata Sons, former Chairman of Tata Group, and is one of the world’s most significant philanthropists.
Mr Tata has made a significant contribution to the Australia-India bilateral relationship. He has been a strong and influential advocate for deeper ties between Australia and India, 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 Mr 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.
This work includes supporting the development and creating opportunities 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.
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.
Mr Tata has also been involved in disaster relief efforts and has supported organisations that provide aid to those in need, such as after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, during which two Australians tragically lost their lives.
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 probono program that offers complimentary IT services to six not-for-profit Australian organisations in the fields of health and Indigenous leadership.
Mr Tata 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.
In recognition of his support for the Australia-India relationship, Mr Ratan Tata is receiving formal national recognition with an appointment as an Honorary Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).
