Ratan Tata Death News LIVE: Public To Pay Last Respects At Mumbai's NCPA; State Funeral For Emeritus Tata

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri expressed condolences on the passing of Ratan Tata. "An institution who embodied excellence, vision and humility. A philanthropist par excellence. A massive loss to society. Condolences to the entire Tata family. God bless his soul," Shastri wrote on X.

On behalf of the Indian government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the last rites of Tata Group's Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata in Mumbai today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Indian-born Irish businessman Noel Tata -- brother of Ratan Tata -- and expressed condolences over the national icon's death.

The youngest Tata employee to have gained the friendship and trust of Ratan Tata, Shantanu Naidu, paid a heartfelt tribute to his mentor.

Naidu, who was also Ratan Tata's assistant, wrote on social media, "The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse."

Veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar paid his last respects to Ratan Tata at the industrialist's Colaba residence in Mumbai.

Cornell University has paid a glowing tribute to its alumnus and former trustee Ratan Tata.

Describing him as "India's most influential and respected business leaders and philanthropists", Cornell University noted Ratan Tata's great contributions to the institution and the world.

The university's Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff said, "Ratan Tata has left an extraordinary legacy in India, across the world and at Cornell, which he cared about deeply."

"Ratan’s quiet demeanor and humility belied his international profile. His generosity and concern for others enabled research and scholarship that improved the education and health of millions of people in India and beyond, and extended Cornell’s global impact," he added.

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Days before his passing, on October 7, Ratan Tata had addressed concerns over his health, terming them to 'rumours'.

He assured everyone that these claims were unfounded. "I am currently undergoing medical check-ups due to my age and related medical conditions," he wrote in a statement.

"There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits and request that the public and media respect refrain from spreading misinformation," Tata Group's Chairman Emeritus had said in his statement.

Posting the statement to his social media handle, Ratan Tata had said, "Thank you for thinking of me."

With just a fortnight to go for his retirement on December 28, Ratan Tata is getting ready for a new life. His multi-storey, sea-facing house opposite Mumbai’s Colaba Post Office is being reconstructed even as Mukesh Ambani has vacated the neighbourhood recently for a gleaming residential skyscraper. Tata, who plans to continue flying and return to formally learning music, will be surrounded by many objects of the 144-year-old, $100-billion Tata Group he’s led for the past 21 years. He can, of course, anytime walk down to the two Taj Hotels. But he’s unlikely to pop in at the New Persian Restaurant on Wodehouse Road where M.F. Husain had his morning cup of Tata Tetley.

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Ahead of the mortal remains of Ratan Tata being brought to NCPA at Nariman Point, the Mumbai Police has cordoned off the road leading to the venue, closing the Marine Drive road beyond the Oberoi Hotel.

In October 2008, on the eve of the Durga Puja festivities, industrialist Ratan Tata – who died on Wednesday at the age of 87 – delivered a piece of shocking news to West Bengal: frustrated with the never-ending strife, he was pulling out of the near-complete Nano car plant project in Singur, about 30km north of Kolkata.

In a rather uncharacteristic outburst, he squarely blamed Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee-led anti-displacement agitation for his decision to withdraw from the project. Banerjee was so long holding a gun to his head and had finally pulled the trigger, he alleged.

“I think some time back I mentioned that if somebody puts a gun to my head, the person will either have to pull the trigger or take the gun away because I will not move my head. I think Ms Banerjee has pulled the trigger,” Tata said.

Read full story here.

"I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata," wrote Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra.

"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," Anand wrote in his X post.

"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," he added.

"Goodbye and Godspeed, Mr. T. You will not be forgotten. Because Legends never die," the X post read.

"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 Shanti," industrialist Gautam Adani wrote in his X post.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai reminisced his last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, saying that they talked about the progress of Waymo. "His vision was inspiring to hear," Pichai said.

"He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better. Deep condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji," Sundar Pichai's X post read.

Preparations are underway at NCPA at Mumbai's Nariman Point as the mortal remains of Ratan Tata will be brought here for the public to pay their last respects, following which his last rites with full state honours will take place.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mourned the passing of Ratan Tata, terming it as the "end of an era".

"He was deeply associated with the modernisation of Indian industry. And even more so with its globalisation. 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," Jaishankar wrote in his post on X.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed grief over the loss of "the precious gem of the country".

Writing an honourary post for Ratan Tata, Shinde said, "I pay my heartfelt tribute to him".

"Everyone will always remember the determination shown by him after the 2008 Mumbai attack. His firm decisions, courageous attitude and social commitment will always be remembered," the CM said, adding that, "The last rites of late Ratanji Tata will be performed with full state honours."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed condolences over Ratan Tata's death. He wrote, "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," Tharoor added.

President Droupadi Murmu mourned the passing of Emeritus Tata and said, "In the sad demise of Shri Ratan Tata, India has lost an icon who blended corporate growth with nation-building, and excellence with ethics. A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, he took forward the great Tata legacy and have 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," she wrote in her X post.

Ratan Tata built an identity for himself in the Indian consciousness that went above and beyond his famous surname. It is an identity that resonates with innovation, philanthropy, and visionary leadership.

This photo story captures the moments that defined him and offers a glimpse into the life of a man who led one of India's biggest business houses through the defining era of Indian globalisation.

When J.R.D. Tata stepped down as Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group, Ratan Tata was his chosen successor.

Full Photo Story On Ratan Tata Here.

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.

The national icon and visionary leader passed away at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the passing of Ratan Tata, saying he was "extremely pained by his passing away". He described Tata as a "visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being".

"He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better," PM Modi wrote in a post thread on his X handle.

Entire X thread here:

Prior to his death, the visionary leader had reportedly been under intensive care at a Mumbai hospital. He in fact had addressed his health concerns on social media, dismissing them as 'rumours'. He assured his followers that there was no cause for alarm and explained that he was undergoing routine check-ups for age-related medical conditions.

But unfortunately, on October 9, the national icon passed away.

Ratan Tata assumed the role of Chairman of Tata Sons in March 1991 and retired on December 28, 2012. Under his leadership, the Tata Group saw substantial growth, with revenues soaring from ₹10,000 crore in 1991 to an impressive USD 100.09 billion in 2011-12.

Read About Ratan Tata Here

Confirming the passing of its chairman emeritus, the Tata Group issued a statement saying, "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," the statement from Tata Sons' Chairman N Chandrasekaran read.

"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," it added.

Full Statement:

Ratan Naval Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata Group and veteran industrialist, passed away aged 86 on Wednesday, October 9.

His passing has sent the entire nation into mourning, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declaring a day of mourning in the state.