Ratan Tata's Name Proposed for Bharat Ratna by Maharashtra Government

Mumbai: As the nation mourns the loss of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata, the Maharashtra Cabinet-led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday passed a resolution urging the central government to confer the 'Bharat Ratna', the country’s highest civilian award, on the icon. The cabinet urged the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna on Tata, who had previously been honored with the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by CM Shinde, paid tribute to the Padma Vibhushan leader, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night. A motion of condolence was also passed during the meeting, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.

The resolution said entrepreneurship is an effective way for growth of the society. The country can be taken on the path of progress and development by setting up new businesses, it said.

"It also requires love for the country and honest feelings for society upliftment. We have lost a visionary leader who was committed to the country and the society. Tata's role in the industrial sector and upliftment of the society was unparalleled. He tackled all challenges by adhering to high morals, transparent and clean business administration with discipline," it said.

He carved a niche for the Tata Group and the country on global stage, the resolution said.

It said Ratan Tata will always be remembered for his firm determination after the 26/11 terror attacks and contribution of Rs 1,500 crore to the PM Relief fund for the fight against COVID-19. He had opened all hotels of the Tata Group for COVID patients.

The Taj Mahal Hotel, run by a Tata Group company, was among the places in Mumbai targeted by terrorists on November 26, 2008.

"The cabinet pays homage to Tata on behalf of the people of Maharashtra . We are with the Tata Group in this moment of grief," the resolution added.

Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, was the Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic trusts in India. He was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Then he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. He was honoured with the country's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008.