New Delhi:

In February 2007, Ratan Tata took to the skies in a high-speed adventure that few would ever experience. At the Aero India Show held in Bengaluru, Mr Tata, 69 at the time, was invited by US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to co-pilot an F-16 fighter jet. 

Known for his aviation skills, Mr Tata, who held licenses to fly both jets and helicopters, seized the opportunity to co-pilot the combat aircraft. Under the guidance of a seasoned Lockheed Martin pilot, he took over the controls during the half-hour flight. Soaring through clear skies and reaching altitudes as low as 500 feet, Mr Tata’s experience was described as nothing short of “exhilarating.”

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Speaking to NDTV shortly after his flight, Mr Tata couldn’t contain his excitement. 

“You end up feeling very timid. We did a few things when the commander took over and did some roles, and all of it was very exciting. We went down to around 500 ft of the deck and it flew around the topography, and it’s just unbelievable because you just climb over a hill and come down, turn on your side or turn over. It’s just unbelievable,” Mr Tata told NDTV.

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The Lockheed Martin pilot, who guided Mr Tata through the flight, shared the excitement. “He was absolutely thrilled. The highlight was when we flew at low altitudes-around 500 feet-at 600 knots. You get a real sense of how fast this aircraft can move,” the pilot recalled.

On landing, Mr Tata was greeted by Lockheed Martin officials who presented him with a miniature replica of the F-16. The American defence giant was at the time competing for a major multi-billion-dollar defence contract with India.

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But the F-16 wasn’t Mr Tata’s only airborne conquest that week. The very next day, he took to the skies once more – this time in Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet. Larger and more powerful than the F-16, the F-18 is a key asset in the US Navy’s aircraft carrier operations. For Mr Tata, who has long harboured a passion for aviation, flying two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets back-to-back was a dream come true.

Mr Tata died at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday and will be cremated with full state honours today. 

Mumbai:

Industrialist Ratan Tata, who died at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, will be cremated with full state honours, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced. The state government has also declared a day of mourning on Thursday to honour the late industrialist. 

Mr Shinde announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast across government offices in Maharashtra as a mark of respect. Entertainment events scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled.

Mr Tata’s body will be kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai’s Nariman Point from 10 am to 4 pm today, where people can pay their last respects. The cremation will take place in the Worli area later in the day.

READ | Ratan Tata: Industrialist, Philanthropist, And Indian Icon

Chief Minister Shinde called Mr Tata an “ideal amalgamation of ethics and entrepreneurship”. “He was a role model for future generations of entrepreneurs and a symbol of India’s industrial growth,” said Mr Shinde.

खो गया देश का अनमोल रत्न

रतनजी टाटा नैतिकता और उद्यमशीलता के अपूर्व और आदर्श संगम थे.लगभग 150 वर्षों की उत्कृष्टता और अखंडता की परंपरा वाले टाटा ग्रुप की कमान सफलतापूर्वक संभालने वाले रतनजी टाटा एक जीवित किवदंती थे.उन्होंने समय-समय पर जिस निर्णय क्षमता और मानसिक दृढ़ता का परिचय… https://t.co/u6MdkdheCC

— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) October 9, 2024

“Everyone will always remember the determination shown by him after the 2008 Mumbai attack. His firm decisions, courageous attitude and social commitment will always be remembered. The last rites of late Ratanji Tata will be performed with full state honours,” Mr Shinde added.

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Mr Tata, who took over the reins of the Tata Group in 1991, was instrumental in the conglomerate’s acquisition of international firms such as Corus and Jaguar Land Rover. He expanded the group’s influence across multiple sectors, from steel and automotive to information technology. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Mr Tata retired in 2012 but continued to guide the group and remained active in philanthropy.

READ | “Thank You For Thinking Of Me”: Ratan Tata’s Last Social Media Post

His death has drawn an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Mr Tata as a visionary business leader and a compassionate soul. Business leaders Gautam Adani, Anand Mahindra, and Sundar Pichai also shared their condolences.