LIVE | India bids adieu to Ratan Tata; industry titan given ceremonial guard of honour
Tata, who headed salt-to-software Tata Group for over 2 decades, breathed his last in Mumbai on Oct 9
The nation went into mourning at midnight as Ratan Naval Tata, former Tata Sons chairman who transformed a staid group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate with a string of eye-catching deals, died on October 9. He was 86.
Tata, who was chairman of the salt to software Tata Group for more than two decades, breathed his last at south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm on Wednesday.
Ratan Tata's final rites were performed with full state honours at a central Mumbai crematorium on Thursday (October 10) evening. The Mumbai police paid tribute to Tata with a gun salute. The industry titan's family members, including the half-brother Noel Tata, and top executives from the Tata Group like chairman N Chandrasekaran, were present at the crematorium in Worli.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Congress leader and former CM Sushilkumar Shinde, among others, were also present.
One of the priests present at the crematorium said the last rites were performed according to Parsi tradition.
Also read | Ratan Tata obit: Industry trailblazer, corporate adventurer, boardroom patriarch
A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Tata, had been in intensive care at the hospital since Monday.
Early days
Educated at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, the veteran industrialist worked on the shop floor at the family-run group after returning to India in 1962.
He gained experience in several Tata Group firms before being named director in charge of one of them, the National Radio and Electronics Co. in 1971.
He became chairman of Tata Industries a decade later and in 1991 took over as the chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle, JRD, who had been in charge for more than half a century.
Growth of the group
Under his stewardship, the conglomerate embarked on a massive expansion drive, snapping iconic British assets including steelmaker Corus and luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.
Its two-and-half-dozen listed firms now make coffee and cars, salt and software, steel and power, run airlines and introduced India's first super app.
It recently forayed into chip making and is planning an iPhone assembly plant. The conglomerate ended with USD 165 billion in revenue in the last fiscal.
"It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation," Chandrasekaran said in a late-night statement.
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Live Updates
- 10 Oct 2024 7:46 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | Top business, political leaders pay homage
Thousands of people from different walks of life, including politicians and corporate leaders, gathered at the NCPA in Mumbai on Thursday (October 10) to pay homage to the legendary Ratan Tata, whose identity transcended beyond being the top industry icon.
The body of Ratan Tata, who died in a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night (October 9), was brought from his Colaba home in a hearse decked with white flowers to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai.
The mortal remains were kept at the NCPA in a casket with a tricolour covering it.
Among the early ones who arrived to pay respect were Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar, his daughter MP Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, finance industry stalwart Deepak Parekh, and Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das.
Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar and assembly speaker and local MLA Rahul Narwekar were among those who reached the NCPA.
The employees and top executives of the Tata group were also present to pay respect.
CM Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra's education minister Deepak Kesarkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani were among those who rushed to the hospital after hearing about Tata's death.
- 10 Oct 2024 7:39 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | Maharashtra govt proposes his name for Bharat Ratna award
The Maharashtra government in a cabinet meeting on Thursday (October 10) decided to propose the name of Ratan Tata for the Bharat Ratna award.
Ratan Tata, the emeritus chairman of Tata Sons, passed away on Wednesday (October 9).
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award given by the Government of India.
- 10 Oct 2024 7:29 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | He was truly a legend: Advani
Veteran BJP leader L K Advani on Thursday said among the Indian business houses, he has admired Tatas the most due to the immense dedication, vision and integrity with which Ratan Tata steered the group to glory for many decades.
Tata, the former Tata Group chairman who transformed a staid group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate, breathed his last in Mumbai on Wednesday night. He was 86.
In his condolence message, the former deputy prime minister said Tata left an indelible mark on the Indian industry. He was one of the giants of the industry, Advani added.
"He indeed proved to be a worthy successor of the very inspiring late Shri J R D Tata, with whom I had the opportunity to interact with on numerous occasions," Advani said.
The BJP stalwart said his last communication with Tata was in February this year when he received a "warm letter" from him after being conferred with Bharat Ratna.
- 10 Oct 2024 6:56 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | Acted as my moral compass: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy
Losing "dear friend" Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata is "very painful", IT industry veteran and Infosys co founder N R Narayana Murthy on Thursday said as he acknowledged that he was a role model for him in value-based leadership.
"He (Tata) was indeed a moral compass for me whenever I had some ambiguity and confusion in ethical issues," the 78-year-old said.
After conferring an honour on Tata in 2020, the software icon had bent down to touch his feet and sought his blessings.
“Losing a dear friend like Ratan is very painful. Ratan was a role model for me in value-based leadership," Murthy said in his condolence message.
Tata (86) passed away late Wednesday evening in Mumbai due to age-related medical conditions.
- 10 Oct 2024 6:53 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death: He was deeply associated with modernisation of Indian industry: Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the passing away of industry stalwart Ratan Tata is the "end of an era".
Jaishankar, in a post on X, said Tata was deeply associated with the modernisation of the Indian industry.
"The passing away of Ratan Tata is the end of an era. He was deeply associated with the modernisation of Indian industry. And even more so with its globalisation," he said.
"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.
- 10 Oct 2024 6:42 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death: 'Rest in peace, my friend', posts Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu
Few men have left such an enduring imprint on this world with their vision and integrity as Ratan Tata. Today, we have lost not just a business titan, but a true humanitarian whose legacy goes beyond industrial landscape to live in every heart he touched. As I mourn his passing… pic.twitter.com/f4L1TJi9Dt
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 9, 2024 - 10 Oct 2024 6:39 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | Rajasthan Governor, CM condole his demise
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday condoled the demise of industrialist Ratan Tata, saying his simplicity and foresight will always remain a source of inspiration for the country.
"The news of the demise of India's great son, industrialist and inspirational personality Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata ji is extremely sad," Bagade posted on X.
"Your simplicity, leadership and foresight will always remain a source of inspiration for the country. This country can never forget Ratan Tata ji. May God give peace to the departed soul," he said.
Sharma said under the leadership of the industrialist, the Tata Group not only made India proud at the global level, but also played an important role in the country's economic and social development.
"The demise of India's renowned industrialist and social worker Shri Ratan Tata Ji is extremely sad," Sharma posted on X.
He said Tata's contribution was not limited to the business sector as he also made invaluable contribution to social service and nation building.
Former CM Ashok Gehlot and other state leaders also condoled the death of Tata.
- 10 Oct 2024 6:35 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death | Bharat would miss him very dearly: Vice President
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla have condoled the death of industrialist Ratan Tata, hailing his contribution towards building a self-reliant India.
Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India's biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, died at the age of 86 on Wednesday night.
Dhankhar described Tata as a towering figure of Indian industry, whose contributions towards building a self-reliant India will forever be an inspiration to entrepreneurs in India and beyond.
"As 'the legend' of Indian industry leaves behind a lasting legacy, Bharat would miss him very dearly," the vice president secretariat wrote on X quoting Dhankhar.
Speaker Birla said the country has lost a great industrialist and social worker who not only took Indian industry to new heights, but inspired every section of society with his selfless service and generosity.
"The simplicity, vision and service spirit of Ratan Tata will remain a source of inspiration for ages. His demise is an irreparable loss to the country," he posted on X.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal described Ratan Tata as "anmol" or precious Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the era of visionary leadership has come to an end.
"He has left behind an irreplaceable void. His remarkable contributions have not only transformed industries but also elevated India onto the global pedestal of innovation and excellence," he wrote on X
- 10 Oct 2024 6:32 AM GMT
Ratan Tata death: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah condoles demise
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Kumaraswamy and other prominent political leaders on Thursday condoled the demise of Tata Group chairperson emeritus Ratan Tata, who died following prolonged illness.
Condoling the demise, Siddaramaiah called Tata an iconic industrialist and visionary leader.
"His (Ratan Tata) contributions to India's progress and philanthropy are immeasurable. His legacy of compassion, humility, and nation-building will continue to inspire generations," he said.
In his message, JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda said India lost a visionary business leader in the passing of Tata.
"In his early years as Chairman, Tata Group, I had negotiated the creation of a new airport for Bangalore with him. I was CM then. Later too we were in touch. He was a very gentle person. RIP," the former PM said on 'X'.
Expressing grief on 'X' Kumaraswamy wrote, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about Shri Ratan Tata's demise. His legacy as a philanthropist and industrialist has profoundly impacted countless lives and communities. His vision, compassion, and unwavering dedication to social causes will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this challenging time."
