Top business and political leaders line up to pay homage to Ratan Tata at Mumbai's NCPA
Mumbai (PTI): Thousands of people from different walks of life, including politicians and corporate leaders, gathered at the NCPA here on Thursday to pay homage to the legendary Ratan Tata, whose identity transcended beyond being the top industry icon.
The body of Ratan Tata, who died in a hospital here on Wednesday night, was brought from his Colaba home in a hearse decked with white flowers to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai.
The mortal remains were kept at the NCPA in a casket with a tricolour covering it.
Among the early ones who arrived to pay respect were Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar, his daughter MP Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, finance industry stalwart Deepak Parekh and Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das.
Even before Tata's mortal remains were brought to the NCPA from his residence, many people waited patiently in queues to get a last glimpse of the person who held an immense respect in their hearts for different reasons.
His body will be taken to the Prayer Hall at the Worli crematorium later in the day.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said Ratan Tata will be accorded a state funeral
Leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar and assembly speaker and local MLA Rahul Narwekar were among those who reached the NCPA.
The employees and top executives of the Tata group were also present to pay respect.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Special Commissioner Deven Bharti and Joint Commissioner of Police Satya Narayan Chowdhary were among the top officials who also paid homage to Tata at the NCPA lawns.
In view of the heavy footfall anticipated at the NCPA, the Mumbai police have beefed up security arrangements and also imposed traffic restrictions in parts of Nariman Point.
Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86 at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night.
CM Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra's education minister Deepak Kesarkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani were among those who rushed to the hospital after hearing about Tata's death.
Before the hearse carrying Tata's mortal remains left from his home, located a couple of kilometres away from the NCPA, the Mumbai Police band played a tune as a mark of respect to him.
Several people had gathered outside his house also since early morning to pay tribute.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was among the early visitors at Tata's home.
The Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tributes to Ratan Tata, the Chief Minister's Office said.
A statement quoting CM Shinde said the national tricolour on government offices in Maharashtra will be flown at half-mast on Thursday as a sign of mourning.
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Four dead, 6 injured in road accident in Bihar's Saran district
Chhapra (Bihar) (PTI): Four people, including two women, died on the spot and six others were injured in an accident in Bihar's Saran district on Wednesday morning, a police official said.
The incident took place on the Brahmpur-Revelganj road in Bhagwan Bazar police station area of the district.
Talking to PTI, Chhapra SDPO (Sadar-1) said, "Around 5.45 am, a pickup vehicle travelling from Brahmpur towards Uttar Pradesh, which had 12 people on board, lost control and overturned. An unidentified truck allegedly ran over four people, including two men and two women, who had fallen onto the road."
Of the six people who were injured, four are undergoing treatment at Sadar hospital in Chhapra, and two others, who are in a critical condition, have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment, he added.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
An FIR was registered at the Traffic police station, and further legal action is being taken, officials said.
CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify the truck and its driver, they added.
The SDPO said the deceased belonged to different regions of Uttar Pradesh, and police are trying to reach out to their families.
