Ratan Tata death news: Maharashtra, Jharkhand announce one-day state mourning

Ratan Tata death: Several states, including Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, have announced one-day state mourning on Thursday to mourn the demise of Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86 last night.

The iconic industrialist, who redefined the Tata Group and steered its international presence, was admitted to Candy Breach Hospital Mumbai, where he breathed his last.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the national tricolour on government offices in the state will be flown at half-mast on Thursday, as a mark of respect to the departed soul. In addition, there will be no entertainment events, the Maharashtra government announced,  according to a  PTI report.

The Tata Chairman's mortal remains would be taken to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai, where the public can pay their last respects from 10:30 am to 3:30pm.

‘Recognition to backward state’

Noting how Ratan Tata gave the recognition to a 'backward state', Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren also announced one-day mourning for the veteran industrialist's death.

“A one-day state mourning has been declared following the demise of former chairman of Tata Group and Padma Vibhushan Shri Ratan Tata ji, who gave world recognition to a backward state of the country like Jharkhand,” Soren announced in a post on X.

‘Can’t remember anybody…'

From ministers such as Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to business tycoons including Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal, Vedanta Chairman Anil Aggarwal, MD of Hiranandani group, Niranjan Hiranandani, paid tribute to Ratan Naval Tata.

“I think if you look at the outpouring today of feeling, of affection, of respect, I can't remember anybody, in the world of industry who's evoked this kind of emotion among people across a very wide cross section,” External Affairs Minister Jaishankar was quoted as saying by PTI.

Even the world's largest economy, the US, and Ratan Tata's alma mater Cornell University, joined India in mourning for the national icon's demise.

“ We will remember his(Ratan Tata's) legacy of transformative giving to Cornell,” the Ivy League School wrote on X.