Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, paid homage to veteran industrialist and Tata Sons’ Emeritus Chairman, Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata, following his recent passing. In a heartfelt resolution passed on behalf of all citizens of Maharashtra, the Cabinet expressed its deep condolences and called on the Central Government to honour Tata posthumously with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
The resolution highlighted Ratan Tata’s unparalleled contributions to the nation, both as a visionary entrepreneur and a philanthropist. “Entrepreneurship is an effective way of building society, and Ratan Tata exemplified this through his true patriotism and concern for society. He was not only an industrial leader but also a social worker and a patriotic figure,” the resolution noted.
Tata, the great-grandson of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata, was lauded for his leadership, ethical values, and philanthropy. During his tenure as Chairman and later Emeritus Chairman of Tata Sons, he maintained the highest standards of integrity, which made him a global symbol of excellence. His contributions to fields such as education, health, and social service, as well as his philanthropy through the Tata Group’s Charitable Trust, were also acknowledged in the resolution.
The Cabinet also emphasized Tata’s resilience following the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai and his significant contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he immediately donated Rs 1,500 crore to the PM Relief Fund and made Tata Group hotels available for patients. The resolution expressed deep gratitude for his unwavering support to the people of Maharashtra and the nation.
“Ratan Tata’s legacy of ethical leadership, innovation, and philanthropy will serve as an inspiration for future generations. His pioneering efforts in establishing an innovation centre for youth in remote areas like Gadchiroli and his focus on providing opportunities for the underprivileged were groundbreaking,” the resolution read.
Maharashtra had earlier honoured Tata with the state’s first Udyog Ratna award, and his guidance continued to benefit the state. The resolution concluded by recognizing the profound loss caused by Ratan Tata’s death, describing it as an “irreparable loss” for both Maharashtra and the entire country.
