Ratan Tata had a cordial relationship with his step-mother Simone Tata but theres another woman with whom the late industrialist shared a deep connection his paternal grandmother Navajbai Tata the first woman to serve as the director of Tata Sons -- the holding company which owns and operates the Tata Group conglomerate. Ratan Tatas bond with Lady Navajbai Tata Ratan Naval Tata was born to Naval Tata and his first wife Sooni Tata the niece of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata on December 28 1937. Naval and Sooni separated when Ratan Tata was 10 years old and was raised by his paternal grandmother Navajbai Tata. Although Ratan shared cordial ties with his stepmother Simone it was Navajbai Tata who shaped his personality and made him the man everyone came to adore later in his life. Despite his high-profile career Ratan Tata remained a private individual. He never married or had children but expressed that he came close to marrying several times. His deep connection with his family and upbringing under his grandmothers guidance significantly shaped his values and approach to life. Apart from her remarkable business acumen Navajbai Tata was known for her philanthropy and charities a trait she passed on to Ratan Tata who was also famous for his philanthropic ventures. Ratan Tata often expressed his gratitude towards his doting grandmother and stressed she was someone from whom one can learn a lot. Who was Navajbai Tata? Navajbai Tata was the wife of Sir Ratanji Tata the youngest son of Tata Group founder Jamshedji Tata. The couple got married in 1892 but Ratanji passed away in 1918 at the age of 47 leaving Navajbai a widow at just 41. Despite the crushing loss of her beloved husband at an early age Navajbai showed her steely resolve as she continued to effectively manage the affairs of the business empire. Known for her benevolent and giving nature Navajbai established the Ratan Tata Institute in Mumbai in 1928 to create employment opportunities for poor destitute and needy women in need of a helping hand. In a social media post Tata Sons Brand Custodian Harish Bhat revealed that the motive behind the institute more than  just building prime real estate in Indias financial capital. “Needy women were trained in cookery hand embroidery tailoring and laundry divisions. Many people remember her as a generous and kind soul her achievements are known to only a few Bhat said in his tribute to Navajbai Tata. The Tata Sons custodian said Navajbai essentially shaped Tata Groups ideals as JRD Tata often consulted her on all the major decisions and developments in the company. A woman of strong principles Navajbai Tata ensured that Tata Group never strayed from the ideals envisioned by its founder Jamshedji Tata. Tata Group pays tribute to Navajbai Tata On September 23 the Tata Group had paid tribute to Navajbai Tata for her priceless contribution to the companys founding and its growth after the death of Jamshedji Tata. Recalling her philanthropic nature Harish Bhat narrated an incident when she donated her Homestead manor in Matheran and Rs 3 lakh in cash to a social worker who had come seeking financial help for building an extended care facility. Navajbai and Ratanji lived briefly in England where they became close friends with Queen Mary and King George V. Its widely believed that Navajbai was the primary reason Ratan Tata returned to India and took charge of the Tata business empire. She was first woman Director of Tata Sons a post she ascended to in 1925 and held right until her demise in 1965  Bhat revealed.