‘There is no place in this letter…’: 5 lakh jobs, a bold pivot, and Ratan Tata’s vision in Chandra’s year-end memo

In his year-end message, Tata Group Chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, a powerful reflection on the events of 2024, paid tribute to the late Ratan Tata and outlined the group’s ambitious vision for 2025.

Acknowledging the geopolitical turmoil of 2024, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, Chandrasekaran highlighted the global shift from efficiency to resilience in supply chains. He stressed that these changes position India for growth, given its talent pool and manufacturing capabilities.

Chandrasekaran paid heartfelt tributes to Ratan Tata, whose passing earlier this year left an indelible mark on the group and Company India. “Our group has lost an irreplaceable role model and leader. We have lost a mentor and a dear friend.” Reflecting on the tributes he has received around the world, he said: “There is no room in this letter to fully express what he meant to us.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors revealed the Tata Group’s plans to create 500,000 new jobs in the field of manufacturing over the next five years. These positions will span key sectors such as semiconductor, electric vehicles, solar equipment, and other important hardware industries. “This will partly come from the above investments in facilities across India – factories and projects that will produce batteries, semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar equipment and other critical devices that are set to play a central role in tomorrow’s economy,” he said.

In addition to manufacturing, the group expects to create significant job opportunities in retail, technology services, aviation and hospitality. Chandrasekaran also highlighted recent strides in high-tech industries, including the opening of India’s first semiconductor factory in Gujarat, a new battery cell manufacturing plant in the UK, and other facilities. “The big strategic bets, made with his encouragement, are starting to pay off, especially in the high-tech and manufacturing industries where our footprint continues to expand,” he noted.

Given the transformative power of technology, Chandrasekaran focused on the growing role of AI in healthcare and mobility. “There is a radical transformation taking place,” he stated, explaining how technological progress is now driving scientific discoveries, revolutionizing industries, and improving human well-being.

Looking to 2025, Chandrasekaran expressed optimism about India’s economic growth, driven by expanding manufacturing and the digital revolution. “India’s economy is strong, and the great trends of the age are on our side,” he wrote, concluding his letter on a hopeful note.