10 october 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s brother, on Thursday morning to offer his condolences following the passing of the prominent businessman and philanthropist. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will represent the Government of India at Ratan Tata’s funeral.
Ratan Tata, who led the Tata Group for several decades, passed away at the age of 86 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday night.
Despite his passing, Prime Minister Modi, who is currently on a two-day visit to Laos for the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, shared his thoughts on social media. He described Tata as a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being,” emphasizing his dedication to causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, and animal welfare. Modi fondly recalled their frequent meetings during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister and later in Delhi, expressing deep sorrow over Tata’s death.
In honor of Tata, the Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning, with the national flag flown at half-mast in government buildings on Thursday. No entertainment events will be held that day. His body will be available for public viewing at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with his final rites set to take place in Worli later in the day.