Industrialist, political leaders across the country paid tributes to veteran industrialist and Chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata who died late Wednesday night at the age of 86. He had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for the last few days.
Issuing a statement, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said that with a profound sense of loss they bid farewell to Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contribution have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of the nation.
As soon as the news broke, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the national icon, calling him a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He said that Ratan Tata provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses, adding that his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also condoled his death, stating that Ratan Tata was a man with a vision, and has left a lasting mark on both business and philosophy.
Industrialist Gautam Adani also paid tribute to Ratan Tata. He expressed that India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path. He recalled Ratan Tata as not only a business leader, but one who embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good.
Muskesh Ambani also hailed Ratan Tata as the country’s most illustrious and kind-hearted son. He expressed that it is a very sad day for India, and a big loss, not just to Tata Group, but to every Indian. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also credited the national icon for mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India.
Declaring a state of mourning in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Ratan Tata would be accorded state funeral. His mortal remains is also kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in South Mumbai’s Nariman Point from 10 am for people to pay their homage. His body will be taken to the Worli crematorium for last rites at 3:30 pm.
Ratan Tata was born in 1937. After his parents divorce in 1948, Ratan Tata was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata. He studied architecture at Cornell University, and followed it up with a management course at Harvard.
He is also the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, who founded a small business which is now one of the world’s largest corporations, with interests across the automotive, aerospace and defence, information technology, steel, real estate, financial services and investments, and aviation, e-commerce, and tourism sectors.
Ratan Tata was twice the Chairperson of the Tata Group conglomerate, from 1991 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017. Though he has long since stepped back from the company’s day-to-day running, he continues to head its charitable trusts. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second- highest civilian honour in 2008. He also received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, in 2000.