In his year-end message, Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran reflected strongly on the events of 2024, paying tribute to the late Ratan Tata and outlining the group’s ambitious vision for 2025.

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

Chandrasekaran paid a heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata, whose death earlier this year left an indelible mark on the Group and India Inc. “Our group has lost an irreplaceable role model and leader. And I have lost a dear mentor and friend,” he wrote. Reflecting on the tributes received around the world, he commented: “There is no space in this letter to fully capture what he meant to us.”

The president revealed Tata Group’s plans to create 500,000 new manufacturing jobs over the next five years. These positions will span key industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar equipment and other critical hardware industries. “These will come in part from the aforementioned investments in facilities across India – factories and projects that will produce batteries, semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar equipment and other critical hardware destined to play a central role in tomorrow’s economy “, he shared.

In addition to manufacturing, the Group anticipates significant job creation in retail, technology services, aviation and hospitality. Chandrasekaran also highlighted recent developments 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 locations “The big strategic bets, made with their encouragement, are paying off, especially in the high-tech and manufacturing industries where our footprint continues to expand,” he noted.

Reflecting on the transformative power of technology, Chandrasekaran focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in health and mobility. “A fundamental investment is taking place,” he said, explaining how advances in technology are now driving scientific discovery, revolutionizing industries and improving human well-being.

Looking ahead to 2025, Chandrasekaran expressed optimism for India’s economic growth, fueled by expanding manufacturing and the digital revolution. “India’s economy is strong and the big trends of the time are in our favour,” he wrote, ending the letter on a hopeful note.