Mumbai, October 10: The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, passed a resolution on Thursday urging the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, posthumously to veteran industrialist Ratan Tata. Tata passed away in Mumbai at the age of 86 on Wednesday.
During the state cabinet meeting, tributes were paid to the Padma Vibhushan awardee, and a condolence proposal was passed in his honor. Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, died at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His last rites will be performed with full state honors, according to Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, who also announced a one-day mourning period in the state.
In a statement, CM Shinde recalled Tata’s unwavering determination in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, a sentiment echoed by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who called Tata’s demise a "great loss for the country."
The public has been invited to pay their respects at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) lawns, where Tata’s mortal remains, draped in the national flag, have been kept. His final journey will begin at 4 pm today.
National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressed their condolences. Shah praised Tata’s transformative leadership of the Tata Group and recognized his global respect and influence.
Born on December 28, 1937, Ratan Tata held prominent roles in philanthropic trusts, including the Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. He was Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 until his retirement in 2012, after which he was named Chairman Emeritus. Tata was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2008.
