Maharashtra Govt declares day of mourning to pay tributes to Ratan Tata

Mumbai: 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.

There will be no entertainment events on Thursday, the statement said.

Tata's mortal remains will be kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday for people to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed in Worli area of Mumbai later in the day.

People from different walks of life gathered outside the residence of Ratan Tata in south Mumbai on Thursday morning to pay their respects to the veteran industrialist, who died in a hospital here. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the early visitors at Tata's home in Colaba area to pay homage to the industrialist.

Members of the Mumbai Police band were also present outside the house, besides a number of security personnel and mediapersons.

In a post on X, Shinde said Tata was a unique blend of morality and entrepreneurship. He was a living legend who successfully helmed the 150 year-old Tata group, the CM added. “Ratan ji Tata’s mortal remains will be accorded a state funeral,” Shinde said.

Describing Tata as the pride of the country, Shinde said he will always be an inspiration to the next generation of entrepreneurs. The resoluteness he displayed during the 26/11 terror attack will always be remembered, the chief minister said.

Rededicate ourselves to carrying forward Ratan Tata’s legacy: Tata Trusts

Tata Trusts’ chief executive Siddharth Sharma on Wednesday said the group of non-profits rededicates itself to carrying forward Ratan Tata’s legacy.

“We rededicate ourselves to carrying forward his legacy and that of the founders, which is rooted in India’s civilisational values and strives for the welfare of all,” Sharma said in a statement.

Tata Trusts is a group of non-profits which hold about two thirds of ownership in the salt-to-software conglomerate. Ratan Tata, who was feted with the country’s second highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan, was the chairman of Tata Trusts.