Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86, the company said late Wednesday.
Ratan Tata had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in Mumbai, where his condition was described as “critical”.
-“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Navel Tata, a truly uncommon leader,” Tata Group said in a statement on X. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed the industrialist’s death on late Wednesday night, describing Tata as “friend, mentor and guide.”
-Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu led the nation in paying tributed to the late Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group.
-Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Tata as a “visionary” in his tweet. Posting on X, the prime minister said, “I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”
-Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed their condolences and recalled the values and contributions of Ratan Tata.
-Several chief ministers, actors, politicians and business leaders continue to express their grief over the demise of Ratan Tata and recollect their fond memories of him.
-Maharashtra government declared October 10, Thursday, to be a state mourning day, as a mark of respect to the late industrialist. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Ratan Tata will be accorded a state funeral and all national flags across government buildings will be flown at half-mast. The state has also cancelled all government events in Mumbai.