With Ratan Tata chilling in Pune, Cyrus Mistry takes over silently

As far as transitions at conglomerates go, this must rank among the most dignified in India Inc.

Or for that matter, anywhere else. Ratan Tata, the helmsman of 21 years at the Tata Group, completes 75 years of age on Friday, the watermark where he’s mandated to exit from all executive positions according to the Tata Sons charter. True to his distinguished persona, there will be no song and dance, no media jamborees, no fanfaronade whatsoever.

For the fifth chairman is on his customary year-end leave, chilling in the cooler climes of Pune. Cyrus Mistry, 43, has already hit the ground running, having replaced Tata in most of the major companies in the group. Verily, it’s business as usual at Bombay House, the seat of the 100-company, $100 billion enterprise, in Fort, Mumbai. They’ve been at it for the last 140 years.