The Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to nominate industrialist Ratan Tata for the prestigious Bharat Ratna award. This announcement comes as a part of a series of proposals following Tata's recent passing.

Ratan Naval Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday at Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai. He had been in intensive care since Monday. The Maharashtra Cabinet also expressed its condolences during the meeting.

Tata, known for transforming the Tata Group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate, played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile deals throughout his career. He was recognized with the Padma Vibhushan award for his significant contributions to the country.

His death was first reported by a senior official from the Mumbai police, and later confirmed by Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, who described Tata as "a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation."

Educated at Cornell University in New York, Ratan Tata returned to India in 1962 and began working on the shop floor of the family-owned company. He gained experience in various Tata Group firms before becoming the director in charge of the National Radio and Electronics Company in 1971.

In 1981, he became the chairman of Tata Industries and, in 1991, took over as the chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, who had led the group for over 50 years. Under Ratan Tata's leadership, the Tata Group undertook an ambitious expansion strategy, acquiring iconic British companies such as Corus Steel and Jaguar Land Rover.

Today, the Tata Group operates a diverse portfolio of businesses, from coffee and cars to salt and software, steel and power, as well as running airlines and launching India's first super app.

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