Ratan Tata to be cremated with full state honours, Maharashtra declares day of mourning

Mumbai: Industrialist Ratan Tata, who died at the age of 86 at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, will be cremated with full state honours, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced. The state government has also declared Thursday as a day of mourning in honour of the late industrialist.

The national flag will fly at half-mast in all government offices across Maharashtra as a mark of respect, Mr Shinde announced. Entertainment programmes scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled.

Mr Tata’s body will be kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Mumbai’s Nariman Point from 10 am to 4 pm today, where people will be able to pay their last respects. The last rites will be performed in the Worli area later in the day.

Chief Minister Shinde called Mr Tata a “perfect blend of ethics and entrepreneurship”. “He was a role model for future generations of entrepreneurs and a symbol of India’s industrial development,” Mr Shinde said.

“Everyone will always remember the determination he showed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His firm decision, courageous attitude and social commitment will always be remembered. Late Ratanji Tata will be cremated with full state honours,” Mr Shinde said.

Mr Tata, who took over the reins of the Tata Group in 1991, played a key role in the group’s acquisition of international firms such as Corus and Jaguar Land Rover. He expanded the group’s influence in a number of sectors from steel and automotive to information technology. Mr Tata, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, retired in 2012 but continued to guide the group and remained active in philanthropy.

His demise has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Mr Tata as a visionary business leader and a kind soul. Business leaders Gautam Adani, Anand Mahindra and Sundar Pichai also offered their condolences.