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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Prime Minister said as he departed for a two-day visit to Laos to attend the 21st Asean-India and 19th East Asia Summit. His visit to Vientiane comes at the invitation of his Laos counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone.

After landing in Lao PDR, PM Modi said, “Looking forward to the deliberations with various world leaders.”

“The welcome in Lao PDR was memorable! The Indian community is clearly very connected with their roots. Also gladdening was the local people speaking in Hindi and doing a Bihu dance! Do watch,” he said in a post on X.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi said in a statement that “this year we are marking a decade of our Act East Policy. I will join the Asean leaders to review progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of our cooperation”.

“The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We share close cultural and civilisational ties with the region, including with Lao PDR, which are enriched by shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana,” he added.

“Leaving for Lao PDR to take part in the 21st Asean-India and 19th East Asia Summit. This is a special year as we mark a decade of our Act East Policy, which has led to substantial benefits for our nation. There will also be various bilateral meetings and interactions with various world leaders during this visit,” PM Modi earlier today as he departed for Lao PDR.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, said, “India’s Act East policy: A decade-old commitment growing strong! PM @narendramodi embarks on a 2-day visit to Lao PDR, to participate in the 21st Asean-India and 19th East Asia Summit.”

The counting of votes for the Legislative Assembly election results in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir concluded on Tuesday, with the Election Commission announcing the mandate for the state and the Union Territory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Haryana BJP workers for the state’s hat-trick win while appreciating the party Karyakartas’s industrious efforts in the Union Territory.

Addressing the party workers in New Delhi after securing a mandate in the Haryana Assembly elections, PM Modi said the party’s victory in the state was an outcome of the hard work of party workers.

“Today in Haryana the guarantee of development has outweighed the sequence of lies. The people of Haryana have created a new history. To date, 13 elections have been held in Haryana, but this is the first time that a government which has completed two terms of 5 years each has got a chance for the third consecutive time in Haryana,” PM Modi said.

The Congress and National Conference alliance won the Union Territory elections, while BJP surprised the Opposition with its victory in the state.   

In Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference got 42 seats, and Congress had 6 seats. BJP- 29 seats, 3 for PDP, Jammu & Kashmir People Conference, CPI(M) and Aam Aadmi Party won one seat each and Independent – 7 seats.

In Haryana, BJP crossed the majority with 48 seats, while Congress has won 37 seats, 2 for INLD and 3 seats have been won by independent candidates.

On winning the Haryana Assembly election, PM Modi extended his gratitude to the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority to the BJP once again. “This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure the people here that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil their aspirations,” he said in a post on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the massive victory of BJP in Haryana was a victory of the unwavering faith of farmers, poor, backward classes, soldiers and youth in the PM Modi-led govt. “People of Haryana completely rejected negative and divisive politics of Congress which divides people based on caste and region,” he said in a post on X.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, after winning the Assembly elections, said, “This is a historic day, and we’ve received the love and respect of the people of Haryana. They’ve approved the policies of PM Modi and the double-engine government, and the work done by (former Haryana CM) Manohar Lal Khattar.”  

The BJP, months before the Haryana Assembly elections, replaced its strongman Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister with low-profile OBC leader Nayab Singh Saini. This decision surprised many. Today, the BJP’s gamble paid off as Saini led the party to victory in the state elections. This came after a poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections in the state and defied exit poll predictions of a clean sweep for the Congress.

People have given a mandate to the BJP in Haryana for a third consecutive term on PM Modi government’s policies, achievements and way of functioning, Union Minister Manohar Lal said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Congress rejected the Haryana assembly results and said it would move the Election Commission of India.

Former CM and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the results in Haryana are totally unexpected, completely surprising and counter-intuitive. “It goes against ground reality. It goes against what the people of Haryana had made their minds up for, which was for change and transformation. I think under these circumstances, it is not possible for us to accept the results that have been announced today,” he added.

The Prime Minister also complimented JKNC for their commendable performance in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

“I am proud of the BJP’s performance in Jammu and Kashmir. I thank all those who have voted for our Party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. I also appreciate the industrious efforts of our Karyakartas,” he said.

PM Modi said the elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been very special since it held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy. “I compliment each and every person of Jammu and Kashmir for this,” he added.

On Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election results, Shah said: “PM Modi had promised peaceful elections in J&K, which witnessed transparent polls for first time since advent of terrorism.” “I congratulate EC, J&K administration, security forces and people for successful and historic elections.”  

“After 10 years the people have given their mandate to us. We pray to Allah that we meet their expectations,” said National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah after winning J&K in alliance with Congress.

He was hopefull that Opposition block INDIA alliance partners would fight along with his party to restore statehood in the UT. He said Omar Abdullah will become the Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir. “I am sad that they (Congress) have not won in Haryana. I think it happened due to their internal disputes,” he said on Congress performance in Haryana.