Mumbai . Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata, who transformed the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, passed away on Wednesday. He breathed his last at the age of 86 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His mortal remains were taken from his home to the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in South Mumbai on Thursday morning. His mortal remains were taken to NCPA in a vehicle decorated with white flowers, where people paid their last respects. His last rites will be performed this evening in Worli area of Mumbai. Before the vehicle left Tata’s house, a few kilometers away from the NCPA, the Mumbai Police Band played a tune in his honour. As soon as the news of industrialist Tata’s demise spread, people from different walks of life started reaching his residence in South Mumbai to pay tribute to him. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the first to arrive at Tata’s residence in Colaba to pay tribute.
After hearing the news of his demise, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani reached the hospital. Tata’s body was taken from the hospital to his residence in Colaba in an ambulance escorted by police vehicles. Chief Minister Shinde said that the last rites of Ratan Tata will be performed with state honours. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the Maharashtra government has declared a one-day mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tribute to industrialist Ratan Tata. The national flag at government offices in Maharashtra will fly at half mast on October 10 as a symbol of mourning, a statement quoting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said. Governors of many states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi expressed grief over the demise of Tata Group’s Honorary Chairman and veteran industrialist Ratan Tata. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar also arrived to pay his last respects to Ratan Tata.