Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Thursday that the last rites of illustrious industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away at a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night at the age of 86 due to age-related health conditions, will be performed with full state honours.
Government and Tata Group officials said here on Thursday that the industrial legend’s body will be kept for people to pay their last respects at the NCPA Lawns at Nariman Point before being taken for a state funeral in Worli.
Official mourning
The state has also declared a day-long official mourning for the business titan. After the sad news broke out early Thursday, a pall of gloom fell over the country’s corporate world.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Tricolor would be flown at half-mast at all government buildings in Ratan Tata’s honour, and there would be no official entertainment programmes for the day.
Expressing “a profound sense of loss” while bidding farewell to Ratan Tata, the family said in an early morning update that his mortal remains will be taken to the NCPA Lawns at around 10:30 a.m. to enable people to pay their last respect and homage to the departed soul.
Additional Commissioner of Police Abhinav Deshmukh said that visitors should use local transport since no parking facility is available at the NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts).
Mourners should enter from Gate 3 and exit from Gate 2, and there are no parking arrangements available at the NCPA.
At around 4 p.m., Ratan Tata’s body would embark on the final journey from Nariman Point to the Worli Crematorium prayer hall for the last rites.
At the crematorium, the mortal remains, draped in the national flag, will be given a police gun salute and then will be consigned to the flames, said the family.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday before embarking on a two-day Laos visit to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit spoke with Ratan Tata’s brother, Noel Tata, and expressed condolences.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend Ratan Tata’s funeral on behalf of the Government of India.
Earlier, PM Modi in a series of posts on X expressed grief on the demise of Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital following age-related health conditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Ratan Tata a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.”
“He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better,” the PM wrote on X.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Shinde said Ratan Tata was a unique blend of ethics and entrepreneurship.
“He was a living legend who successfully took over the reins of the Tata Group, which has a tradition of excellence and integrity of nearly 150 years… I pay my heartfelt tribute to him,” Chief Minister Shinde said.
“Ratanji Tata was the pride of India, he will always remain a role model for the next generation of entrepreneurs,” he added.
Chief Minister Shinde further said that Ratan Tata’s determination after the 2008 Mumbai attack, firm decisions, courageous attitude, and social commitment will always be remembered.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Ratan Tata, a visionary business leader, an extraordinary nation-builder, and a remarkable human being. His contributions to industry, society, and humanity have left an indelible legacy. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Vaishnaw said in a post on X social media platform.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said Ratan Tata’s death is “the end of an era.”
“He was deeply associated with the modernisation of Indian industry. And even more so with its globalisation. Was my privilege to have interacted with him on numerous occasions. And benefitted from his vision and insights. Join the nation in mourning his demise. Om Shanti,” he said.
“His unparalleled simplicity and dedication to philanthropy and the development of society touched millions of lives. He was at the forefront of championing causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, animal welfare, to name a few. His legacy will live on and inspire generations to come. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Rest In Peace,” Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X.
He was a former Cornell trustee who became the university’s largest international donor – supporting scholarships, research to reduce rural poverty and malnutrition in India, and technology innovation.
Cornell University, in an article, remembered him. Ratan Tata credited his Cornell architectural training for some of his success in business, including learning to approach problems creatively and from multiple perspectives.
“Ratan Tata has left an extraordinary legacy in India, across the world and at Cornell, which he cared about deeply,” said Interim University President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “Ratan’s quiet demeanour and humility belied his international profile. His generosity and concern for others enabled research and scholarship that improved the education and health of millions of people in India and beyond and extended Cornell’s global impact.”
Film stars Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, and other Indian celebrities mourned the loss of Ratan Tata.
End of an era
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Cornell University in the US in 1962, Ratan Tata did not pursue an architecture career and, instead, started as an apprentice on a shop floor at Tata Steel before building a $100 billion empire.
Known for his genteel demeanour, which masks a tough and sharp business acumen, Ratan Tata served as the all-powerful Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement on December 28, 2012.
Under his stewardship, the group’s revenues grew manifold, totalling over $100 billion (in 2011-12).
Born in Mumbai on December 28, 1937, Ratan Tata joined the Tata Group as a young executive in 1962 after acquiring his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University.
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–IANS
(IANS/Twitter:@mieknathshinde)
