Barely a month after Tata Sons took over Air India in Feb 2022, Airbus flew in its latest long range jet Airbus A350 to Mumbai for a demo flight as it knew the airline desperately needed new planes. Ratan Tata wasn’t keeping too well at that time. Still given his passion for aviation, the veteran not only came to see the new plane but also went for a short sortie.
“Ratan Tata Sir boarded the aircraft at Mumbai Airport using an ambu-lift. He went to the flight deck and sat on the jump seat (the seat behind pilots’ seats). We left him there with the Airbus captains who were piloting the aircraft. The aircraft went for an about 40-minute flight. He really enjoyed the experience and was thoroughly knowledgeable about planes. On return, he alighted using an ambu-lift,” said senior pilots.
Everyone present on the aircraft was full of admiration for the legend. “He was not very comfortable walking given his frail health but he wanted to fly; be in the cockpit and experience the flight of the new bird upfront from there. It was like seeing JRD once again,” said a senior pilot.
"It is a very sad day for India and India Inc.Ratan Tata's passing away is a big loss, not just to the Tata Group, but to every Indian. At a personal level, the passing of Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief as I lost a dear friend. Each of my numerous interactions with him left me inspired and energised and enhanced my respect for the nobility of his character and the fine human values he embodied. Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and a philanthropist, who always strove for society's greater good. With the demise of Mr Ratan Tata, India has lost one of her most illustrious and kind-hearted sons. Mr Tata took India to the world and brought the best of the world to Bharat. He institutionalised the House of Tata and made it an international enterprise growing the Tata group over 70 times since the time he took over as Chairman in 1991. On behalf of Reliance, Nita and the Ambani family, I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of the Tata family and the entire Tata Group. Ratan, you will always remain in my heart. Om Shanti,"
Mukesh Ambani said.Glimpses from the life of Ratan Tata
Top industrialists paid rich tributes to Ratan Tata, Tata Group's chairman emeritus and veteran industrialist, who passed away at 86 at a Mumbai hospital after prolonged illness.
"I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata. India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable," Anand Mahindra said in a post on X.
Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata died on Wednesday at the age of 86 in Mumbai. The Tata Group veteran was earlier admitted to intensive care at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital. On Monday, Tata said he was undergoing routine medical investigations due to his age and related medical conditions. Apart from being known as one of India's most successful business tycoons, Tata was also one of the biggest philanthropists in the country.
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