Ratan Tata Funeral Live Updates: Maharashtra CM proposes Ratan Tata’s name for Bharat Ratna

Ratan Tata recommended for Bharat Ratna

Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata's name has been recommended for the Bharat Ratna award by the Maharashtra Cabinet, which passed a resolution on Thursday that will be submitted to the Centre for further approval. The Maharashtra government has announced a day of mourning in the state to honour the legendary industrialist.

This decision followed a demand from the Shiv Sena, led by chief minister Eknath Shinde, for a proposal to honour Tata. The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons passed away on Wednesday night. Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal sent a letter to Shinde, urging him to propose Tata’s name for the prestigious Bharat Ratna honour.

2:30 PM: Naushad Forbes, past president of the Confederation of Indian Industry and co-chairman of Forbes Marshall, expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Ratan Tata, describing him as a towering figure in global industry. Forbes noted that Tata's deep thought, bold investments, and innovative ideas set new benchmarks for Indian industry, while his efforts established a global brand for India, rooted in ethics and the true purpose of business. 

“A man of immense passion and commitment, his philanthropy set the example of giving back to society. For me personally, he was someone I always looked to for advice, which he freely shared, and the constant inspiration he provided. A great loss for the nation,” Forbes adds.

2 PM: R. Dinesh, Immediate past president of the Confederation of Indian Industry and chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited, expressed that the passing of Mr. Ratan Tata is a significant loss for the nation, Indian industry, and society as a whole.

“His invaluable contributions to our country will stand forever in our memory and his legacy will resonate long into the future of Indian industry. He has truly shown the way for India to dream big and actualise these dreams crossing new frontiers. Indian industry will miss him deeply,” says Dinesh.

1:30 PM: Sanjiv Puri, President of CII, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr. Ratan Tata, describing him as a legend in Indian industry. Puri highlighted Tata’s unwavering pursuit of excellence, his profound commitment to social responsibility, and his pioneering efforts that transformed the Indian corporate landscape and elevated it to the global stage.

“I personally learnt a lot from him. His humility, integrity and compassionate values will be a beacon for future generations. He stood as a tall mentor and guide for all of us in Indian industry and inspired us to reach for the best. His invaluable legacy will inspire us for all times to come. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and the members of the Tata family,” Puri shares.

1 PM: Ratan Tata's passing marks the end of an era: Shapoorji Mistry

Shapoorji Mistry, chairman of SP Group stated that the Mistry family has maintained a long-standing relationship with both the Tata Group and Mr. Ratan Tata. He remarked that Tata's unfortunate passing signifies the end of an era. “He will always be remembered as a leader who left a lasting mark on the evolution of the Tata Group. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and the whole Tata fraternity. May his soul rest in peace,” Mistry adds.

12:30 PM: Under Ratan Tata’s guidance, the Tata Group has become synonymous with trust and excellence: Anand Rathi

Anand Rathi, chairman and founder of Anand Rathi Group, expressed a heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata for his visionary leadership, which not only expanded the Tata Group but also provided support and guidance to numerous Indian industries and businesses. Rathi mentioned that he had the privilege of meeting Tata several times in the past alongside the late Shri Aditya Birla. “His dedication to innovation, integrity, and social responsibility has transformed numerous enterprises and inspired generations of entrepreneurs to pursue excellence. Under his guidance, the Tata Group has become synonymous with trust and excellence, paving the way for a more sustainable future. Thank you, Shri Tata, for your enduring legacy and profound impact on our nation,” says Rathi.

Remains of Ratan Tata reached NCPA in Mumbai's Nariman Point

The remains of industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata were solemnly transported from his home in a hearse adorned with white flowers. The procession made its way to the NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts) in Mumbai's Nariman Point, where his remains were placed for the public to honor and pay their final respects before the funeral ceremony.

12:00 PM: We have lost our 'unmol ratan': Aditya Agarwal

Aditya Agarwal, Director of Emami Group, expressed that the loss of Ratan Tata, whom he described as a rare gem of a human being and one of the greatest philanthropists, was profound and irreparable for India. He noted that Tata was a symbol of integrity, empathy, and humility, highly respected for his commitment, innovation, and business acumen, and served as an inspiration to many. “His contribution to the Indian industry is unparalleled.   His empathetic support and help to his associates and people around him are well known and well respected.  Our deepest condolences to his family and the members of the Tata Group,” Agarwal adds.

11:58 AM: Ratan Tata, my personal hero. I will miss him: Ola Cabs CEO Bhavish Aggarwal

In his post dedicated to Ratan Tata on social media platform X, Bhavish Aggarwal said, "The one story I’d like to share today is his key role in the founding of my second company Ola Electric. One day in 2017 I got a call from him asking me to come to Mumbai. He just said - “Bhavish I want to take you somewhere and show you something exciting”. We flew in his plane to Coimbatore to see his personal project making electric vehicles out of the Tata Nano! He was so passionate and excited about electric vehicles. He even drove me in one on a test track and then pointed out such detailed improvements to the engineers."

"That was the day Ola electric really got started - as he ignited the passion for EVs and cars in me! After that, almost every product that we conceptualised and designed (some of which are not yet released) I would go and show him the concepts and he would patiently sit with me and ideate and give feedback," Aggarwal added.

11:30 AM: Ratan Tata was the perfect example of leadership: Chandrajit Banerjee

Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), remarked that Ratan Tata was a perfect example of a leader, nation builder, philanthropist, and global entrepreneur, among other qualities. He noted that Tata's kind, gentle, and gracious nature, despite his stature, was both inspirational and rare. Banerjee highlighted that his advice to CII was always insightful, reflecting his belief in the capabilities of Indian businesses on a global scale and emphasising the importance of Indian companies playing a meaningful role in society to build a stronger nation.

“As a member of CII’s national council for almost two decades, he remained a guiding beacon for CII. With his innate passion for societal good, he led CII’s establishment of the India Business Trust for AIDS which received high global acclaim. It was a great honour for CII that he accepted the first CII President’s Award, a natural recipient given his extensive leadership of Indian industry in all areas. His leadership to Indian Industry to globalise, to be competitive and responsible would be remembered forever. He led CII’s delegations overseas led discussions for Indian Industry to establish credibility and demonstrate confidence. We at CII join the Tata family as we most deeply mourn the passing away of a true leader and such a noble soul,” says Banerjee.

11:00AM: Ratan Tata renowned for his humility and bold business strategies: Sanjiv Bajaj

Sanjiv Bajaj, CMD of Bajaj Finserv and MD of Bajaj Holdings & Inv, stated that Ratan Tata was a prominent figure in India, recognised for both his humility and his bold business strategies. "He represented a handful of industrialists who helped India break out into the international arena very early on," says Bajaj.

10:30 AM: A towering figure to bring Indian Auto industry to the global stage: Shailesh Chandra

Shailesh Chandra, president of SIAM, expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the Indian automobile industry over the passing of Ratan Tata, describing him as a towering figure who played a crucial role in elevating the Indian auto industry to the global stage. "A great humanist, visionary and leader, he championed innovations that are helping build a better tomorrow. RIP Sir," says Chandra.

10:00 AM: Ratan Tata left an indelible mark on India—and the world: Bill Gates

Bill Gates reflected on Ratan Tata as a visionary leader whose commitment to improving lives made a lasting impact not only in India but globally. "I had the privilege of meeting him on several occasions, and I was always moved by his strong sense of purpose and service to humanity. Together, we partnered on numerous initiatives to help people lead healthier, more prosperous lives. His loss will be felt around the world for years to come, but I know the legacy he left and example he set will continue to inspire generations," Gates adds.

Industrialist and Tata Group's former chairperson Ratan Tata is no more

Industrialist and Tata Group's former chairperson Ratan Tata is no more. He died at 86 years of age after a prolonged illness in a Mumbai hospital. He played a role in catapulting Tata Group into a global conglomerate. The Maharashtra government has announced his last rites will be performed with full state honours. The funeral will be held in Worli today. Amid his demise, condolences have poured in from across the spectrum -- from politics to business and the general public -- with people paying last respects to the 'most loved business tycoon'.

Catch all the live updates around the development on Fortune India live blog.

9:30 AM: His passion extended far beyond growing Tata: Venu Srinivasan

Venu Srinivasan, chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Co., expressed that Mr. Tata was an extraordinary business leader, the kind that a nation is fortunate to see once in a century. “His passion extended far beyond growing the Tata Group. It expanded to serving millions of people in India, through philanthropic work and to which he devoted as much time and energy as he did to the business. He was deeply grounded in values that placed the country before business interests, and whose vision was truly transformational for a country and its people,” Srinivasan adds.

9:00 AM: FICCI mourns Ratan Tata's demise

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) deeply mourns the demise of Ratan Naval Tata. "He leaves behind a legacy that has indelibly shaped the landscape of Indian business and philanthropy," says the industry body.

Bestowed with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan among numerous other prestigious awards, Ratan Tata’s contribution in the Indian industry is all encompassing with special contributions in entrepreneurship, start-ups and corporate social responsibility, it says. "Under his leadership he ensured that resources are put into critical areas such as education, healthcare, and rural development, touching millions of lives across India. His personal investments in startups and mentoring of young entrepreneurs in his later years further demonstrated his commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the country."

8.30 AM: Sanjiv Mehta, former chairperson of HUL, pens a heartfelt note in memory of Ratan Tata. "He had an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life, forging relationships based on respect, trust, and kindness. His laughter could fill a room, and his wisdom was sought by many. I had once mentioned to him that our daughters had gone to his schools Roshni at Cornell and Naina at HBS. He always remembered this and would enquire about their well being."

8.00 AM: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says Ratan Tata's life embodied the values of integrity and compassion, serving as an inspiration to many. "The lessons I learned from him will forever resonate in my life. His loss is an immense sorrow for our nation, as we have lost a visionary and compassionate guide."

7.30 AM: FM Nirmala Sitharaman says Ratan Tata's deep resolve to innovation, ethical business practices, and social responsibility transformed industries and uplifted communities.

7.00 AM: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge says India has lost an invaluable son. "A philanthropist par excellence whose commitment to India’s inclusive growth and development remained paramount, Shri Tata was synonymous with unequivocal integrity and ethical leadership."

6.30 AM: Union minister Piyush Goyal says Ratan Tata was a true nationalist & a visionary industrialist who served as the Former Chairperson of Tata Group and brought immense pride to Bharat through his exceptional achievements.

6.00 AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Ratan Tata was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.