Ratan Naval Tata, the former Tata Group chairman who transformed a staid group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate with a string of eye-catching deals, has died. He was 86.
Tata, who was chairman of the salt to software group for more than two decades, breathed his last at south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm on Wednesday.
A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Tata, had been in intensive care at the hospital since Monday.
The US on Wednesday mourned the death of veteran industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Naval Tata, remembering him as someone who drove India to greater prosperity and development.
Tata, the former Tata Group chairman who transformed a staid group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate, breathed his last at south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm on Wednesday. He was 86.
Maharashtra Government has declared a day of mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tributes to industrialist Ratan Tata, the Chief Minister's Office said. Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday. 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.
After news of Ratan Tata's death broke, tributes poured in from business and political leaders in condolence messages posted on X.
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The home minister will visit Mumbai for the funeral as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving for Laos to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.
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"My most vivid memory of Mr. Ratan Tata is seeing him sitting among people in the back rows, on the stands of the Cooperage football ground in Mumbai and watching local football games. Such was his simplicity and greatness," Crasto said.
"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," Kumaraswamy wrote on X.
"A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, he took forward the great Tata legacy and gave it a more impressive global presence. He inspired seasoned professionals and young students alike. His contribution to philanthropy and charity is invaluable. I convey my condolences to his family, the entire team of the Tata Group and his admirers across the globe," the President wrote on X.
India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India's path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader - he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om ShantiGautam Adani
"I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata. India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable. With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example. Because he was a businessman for whom financial wealth and success was most useful when it was put to the service of the global community."Anand Mahindra
India and the country's industry have lost a true visionary with the passing away of Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said on Thursday.
In his condolence message on the death of Tata, Birla said his decisions have impacted lives and industries far beyond financial metrics.
"Over the decades, generations of my family and I have had close ties with the institution of Tata. Ratan Tata epitomised the finest ideals of the storied Tata Group," Birla said.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday paid rich tributes to Ratan Tata, saying that for four decades, he was the gentle colossus of India's corporate world.
Ramesh said Tata made the Tata conglomerate ready for a post-1991 India.
Ratan Naval Tata, the former Tata Group chairman breathed his last at south Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm on Wednesday.
A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Tata, had been in intensive care at the hospital since Monday.
"I was fortunate to spend time with him, but millions, who have never met him, feel the same grief that I feel today. Such is his impact. From his love for animals to philanthropy, he showed that true progress can only be achieved when we care for those who don’t have the means to take care of themselves. Rest in peace, Mr Tata. Your legacy will continue to live through the institutions you built and values that you embraced," Tendulkar said.
I feel that my relative and a father-figure has gone. We want to continue his legacy. The union, his employees will never forget him. He gave fund during Covid times, what he did he did it from his heart. We can never forget himGeneral Secretary Tata Motors, Pimpri Chinchwad, Ajit Paygude
He was a shining beacon of India’s entrepreneurial spirit. He has left an indelible legacy in the business landscape across the world which will inspire future generations. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, friends and followers in the hour of grief.
"India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart. , who gave so much in service to my hometown, serving on the board of the University of Southern California. He saw a future of greater prosperity and equality for his country and did so much for our world. May his memory be a blessing," Garcetti wrote
Indian Americans have mourned the death of veteran industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Naval Tata, remembering him as someone who drove India to greater prosperity and development.
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"I recall when he came home once in Mumbai for breakfast, we had only served a simple Idli, Sambhar, Dosa... but he was so appreciative. I mean, he must be having the world's best cooks. But he was so appreciative of that simple breakfast. He was so kind to all of us in the family. He was so kind to the server who was serving the breakfast and at the end of a very beautiful couple of hours that he had spent at home when he was leaving, he asked my wife very sweetly - would you like to take a picture with me? We really wanted to do, but were shy to ask. He offered it and it is these small thoughtful gestures which make the man the Ratan Tata - 140 crores Indian love and the world loves," Goyal said.
"There are two things that stand out about Shri Ratan Tata. First, he was a true visionary. Second, he was a strong believer in ethics in corporate governance. I think whenever the economic history of modern India is written, I would feel that a full volume will not be enough to describe his achievements...A great son of India and a phenomenal person. May his soul rest in peace," the guv said.
My last communication with Ratan Tata ji was in February this year when I received a warm letter from him congratulating me on being awarded with the Bharat Ratna. His warmth, generosity and kindness had always been very endearingL K Advani
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will be leaving for Mumbai on Thursday afternoon to pay tributes to business tycoon Ratan Tata, who died due to prolonged illness. According to official sources, Naidu will depart to Mumbai by a special aircraft and will return here this evening. Condoling the demise of Ratan Tata, Chandrababu Naidu called him a business titan and a true humanitarian. “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,” Naidu said in a post on X late on Wednesday night.
'I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ratan Tata. He leaves behind an astronomical imprint on the Indian industry, philanthropy and the perennial zest to better the world we live in. A true nation builder, his legacy in the growth of the country will forever inspire entrepreneurs and all Indians alike....Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises
"So much has been said about the life and legacy of Ratan Tata, who sadly passed away last night at 86, that is impossible to distil into a tweet. He was a titan of business and a giant of a human being, an exemplary leader who displayed great vision and compassion towards his staff and his clients. It is rare for a businessman to make and leave the kind of impact Ratan Tata has. A towering figure has left us, and with him an era fades. Om Shanti. RIP," wrote Tharoor on X.
I am deeply saddened by the demise of Ratan Tata. I had personal relations with him. His humility and simplicity was such that I never felt that he was a big industrialist whenever we used to meet at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was a humble person to me.Former President Ram Nath Kovind
Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday passed a resolution urging the central government to confer 'Bharat Ratna', the country's highest civilian award, on legendary industrialist late Ratan Tata.
The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid homage to the industry icon, who died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night.
Credit: PTI photo
Indian businessman Ajay Piramal attends the final viewing of the former chairman of Tata Group Ratan Tata, in Mumbai.
People wait in a queue outside the NCPA to pay their respects to Ratan Tata, in Mumbai.
Shantanu Naidu, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, on Thursday bid adieu to the industrialist, comparing his boss to a "lighthouse".
"The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill," Naidu, a general manager in the Office of RNT, wrote on a professional networking site in the early hours.
Ratan Tata was a visionary global business leader as well as a cherished partner, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said on Thursday and emphasised that his legacy inspires us as Tata Sons and the airline continue their collaboration on the Vistara-Air India merger.
Vistara is a joint venture between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines.
Back in 1994, the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines (SIA) made efforts to set up a joint venture airline in India. Six years later, they again tried to enter the country's aviation market, this time by teaming up to acquire stakes in Air India.
(PTI)
A great legendary icon who put India on the global map with his vision and passion .. The man who inspired thousands of industrialist .. The man who created lakhs and lakhs of jobs for many generations .. The man who was loved and respected by all .. My deepest salutations to him. I will forever cherish every moment spent with this great soul .. a true son of India is no more. .. Rest in peace
Shri Ratan Tata Ji gave new heights to the Indian industry with his tireless hard work and progressive approach. The unprecedented example set by Shri Ratan Tata Ji in the field of public welfare and service to humanity will continue to inspire for centuries.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Amitabh took to his Twitter handle and captioned his post as, “T 5159(i) - .. just came to learn of the passing of Shri Ratan Tata..was working very late ..An era has ended .. a most respected , humble yet visionary leader of immense foresight and resolve..Spent some wonderful moments with him, during several Campaigns we were involved in together..My prayers (folded hands emoji).”
Actor Aamir Khan and Director-Screenwriter Kiran Rao pay last tributes to Ratan Tata in Mumbai.
"It is a sad day for the country. The contribution of Ratan Tata to the country is priceless. We will all miss him a lot," he said.
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu said India has lost a great statesman
"...He always used to talk about the nation. He has given India recognition globally. As an industrialist, he had a great vision...When I requested him to start a cancer hospital in Tirupati, he did it...We have lost a great statesman. But his thoughts, ideology will remain forever...," he said.
The otherwise shy and very private Ratan Tata once spoke about his plans of marriage.
Tata fell in love while he worked in the United States but he had to return to take care of his ailing grandmother and the Indo-China war of 1962 ended everything.
On the eve of Valentine Day in 2020, he gave a peek into his otherwise private life on Facebook to 'Humans of Bombay’.
"I met him in March, he was not doing well, but when I heard the news yesterday, I felt great sorrow. He will always remain in our hearts and we have to follow all that we have learnt from him. I will pray to god to give peace to his soul... He was very passionate about sports and was associated with many sports federations also..."
The Gujarat government has declared one-day mourning on October 10, 2024, to pay respects to the late Ratan Tata, the PTI reported.
Ratan Tata was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Mumbai Police after his mortal remains were brought to a crematorium in Worli for final rites on Thursday evening.
Commoners, celebrities, and notable figures came together on Thursday to bid an emotional farewell to Ratan Tata, the industrialist, philanthropist, and passionate animal lover. Tata, who elevated the Tata Group to new heights, also set lasting benchmarks in social work, leaving behind a legacy that touched countless lives.