State funeral for Ratan Tata; Maharashtra announces one-day mourning

Veteran industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night (October 9). He was 86.

Recently, he was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital for age-related ailments.

In a media statement, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced the demise, saying Ratan Tata's contributions shaped the very fabric of India.

"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.

He added that the Tata Group expanded its global footprint under Ratan Tata's stewardship.

"For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass," he said.

Tata to be cremated with full state honours 

The Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra has announced that the veteran industrialist will be cremated with full state honours.

A statement quoting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the national tricolour on government offices in Maharashtra will be flown at half-mast on October 10 as a sign of mourning.

There will be no entertainment events on Thursday, the statement said.

A one-day mourning period has also been announced in the state on Thursday in Tata’s memory.

Tata's mortal remains will be kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday for people to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed in Worli area of Mumbai later in the day.

Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the funeral of Tata in Mumbai.

Tata family bids adieu 

A recipient of Padma Vibhushan, he breathed his last at south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm, a top police official told PTI. He was admitted to the hospital for the past few days.

In a statement, Tata's family said, "We his brothers, sisters, and family take solace and comfort in the outpouring of love and respect from all who admired him. While he is no longer with us in person, his legacy of humility, generosity and purpose will continue to inspire future generations."

Tata under Ratan 

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.

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.