The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, passed a resolution on Thursday urging the Centre to award the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour, to veteran industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away in Mumbai, in recognition of his achievements.
Tributes were paid to Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata during the state cabinet meeting held today.
The Cabinet also passed a condolence proposal on Ratan Tata’s demise.
Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai at the age of 86 on Wednesday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday night that his last rites will be performed with full state honours.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office has announced that the state government will observe one day of mourning in honour of Ratan Tata, according to an official statement.
Earlier, in a post on X, CM Shinde stated that everyone will always remember the determination shown by Ratan Tata after the 2008 Mumbai attack.
“His firm decisions, courageous attitude and social commitment will always be remembered. The last rites of late Ratanji Tata will be performed with full state honours,” the Chief Minister said.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said the demise of Ratan Tata is a “great loss for the country”.
“Ratan Tata was not only a very successful industrialist, but also a bigger personality because of the way he worked for the country and society. He has not only set up successful industries but has set up a trust, a brand that has given our country a global image. A person with a very big heart has left us today, this is a great loss for the country,” Fadnavis told reporters.
Ratan Tata’s mortal remains, draped in the national flag, have been placed at the lawns of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) for the public to pay their last respects. According to a statement from Tata Trust, the final journey for Ratan Tata will commence at 4 PM today.
Condolences on Ratan Tata’s passing have poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers across nearly every state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid a heartfelt tribute to the veteran industrialist on Thursday, remembering him as a respected figure not only in India but around the world.
Shah recognized Tata’s exceptional leadership in reshaping the Tata Group, especially during a critical period when change was crucial.
“Shri Ratan Tata passed away yesterday. I extend my heartfelt tributes to him. He was a respected industrialist not just in India but the world. He took on leadership of Tata Group at a time when it was important for the Tata Group to make changes,” Shah said.
Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, was the Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic trusts in India. He was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Then he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.
He was honoured with the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008.