Ratan Tata Passed Away: India Mourns the Loss of a Visionary Leader and Philanthropist

Ratan Naval Tata passed away at 86 years old, and Maharashtra is observing a day of mourning. His remains are at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), and by evening, the last rites will be performed in Mumbai’s Worli area.

Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, died at Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday. The government has announced a day of mourning to honor him, keeping flags at half-mast. Many people are expressing grief over his passing.

In 2008, Tata was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of the highest civilian honors in India, after receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2000. He started his career working on the shop floor at Tata Steel in 1961 and became chairman in 1991, after J.R.D. Tata. Under his leadership, Tata Sons expanded and acquired several global companies like Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus.

Bill Gates paid tribute, saying Tata’s work left a lasting mark on India and the world. He mentioned how they had worked together on many initiatives to improve people’s lives. Bill Gates also said that Tata’s legacy will inspire people for years.

Politicians, too, shared their condolences. BJP MP Ravi Kishan spoke highly of Tata, saying he gave everything to India, from watches to airplanes. Delhi’s Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, also expressed his sorrow, mentioning how Tata was a rare businessman with values people respected.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be attending Tata’s funeral. He posted on social media that he was deeply saddened by Tata’s passing and praised his commitment to the country’s development. Shah said Tata’s influence will always live in people’s hearts.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also offered her condolences, calling Tata a visionary who transformed industries and helped uplift communities through innovation and ethical business practices.

While Tata was known for boosting domestic businesses, he also played a key role in pushing for global expansion. In his time, Tata Motors began making passenger cars, and the company’s tech division, TCS, became one of India’s most valuable companies.

Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan shared his grief too, saying Tata was a leader who brought immense pride to India. He noted how Tata’s philanthropic contributions remain unmatched, inspiring millions of young people across the globe.

During his leadership in the early 2000s, Tata Sons went global, acquiring brands like Tetley, Corus, Jaguar, and Land Rover. However, some acquisitions, like Corus, faced challenges later on. Despite that, Tata’s vision left a lasting impact on the business world.

Scenes from outside Tata’s residence in Mumbai showed people gathering to pay their respects. His body will be kept at the NCPA for people to offer their final tributes.

The Maharashtra government has suspended all entertainment events as part of the mourning, and the national flag is at half-mast in honor of Tata’s life and legacy.