Former chairman of the Tata Group Ratan Tata has received an honorary knighthood in recognition of the company’s heavy British investments and philanthropy, a British High Commission statement here on Monday said.

Tata, who retired in 2012 as head of the group, was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, one of Britain’s highest civilian honours.

“Tata is the only Indian national to be given this particular award since India became a republic in 1950,” the High Commission added.Ratan Tata, who is now Tata Group chairman emeritus, was presented the award by British High Commissioner James Bevan.

— AFP