Mumbai: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has instituted the Ratan Naval Tata Memorial Lecture as an annual event to honour the life, values and legacy of Ratan Naval Tata, according to a press release issued by the institute.
Conceptualised by TISS Vice Chancellor Prof. Badri Narayan Tiwari, the lecture aims to create a platform celebrating business leadership rooted in purpose, trust and sustainability, while exploring how such values can be embedded in business and society amid changing times, the note said.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Nadir Godrej, Chairperson of Godrej Industries Group, and was chaired by S. Ramadorai, Chairman of Mission Karmayogi Bharat and former CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services, the release stated.
Held on 21 February 2026 at the Malti and Jal A.D. Naoroji Campus in Deonar, Mumbai, the event drew over 400 guests, including alumni, faculty, staff and students, and was anchored by members of the School of Management and Labour Studies, the institute said. The theme of the lecture was “How Business Contributes to Society: The Making of India”.
In his welcome address, Prof. Tiwari spoke about TISS’s long association with Ratan Tata and the institute’s commitment to preserving his legacy through the annual lecture, the press release said.
According to the note, Nadir Godrej highlighted Ratan Tata’s and the Tata Group’s contributions to social initiatives and nation building, and also traced the legacy of the Godrej Group’s founders. He outlined a roadmap for industry to address contemporary challenges such as artificial intelligence, gig work and ESG, while contributing to the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. His 45-minute address was delivered entirely in verse, the institute said.
Ramadorai, the release added, reflected on his association with Ratan Tata and his emphasis on “doing the right thing”. He also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence and the need for guardrails to ensure its responsible use for nation building.
The lecture was followed by a 45-minute question-and-answer session with the audience and concluded with a vote of thanks, the institute said.
According to the press note, Nadir Godrej was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Rati Godrej, and his son, Burjis Godrej. Post-event, he visited stalls showcasing TISS’s field action projects and joined other guests for a campus walk.