Air India crash aftermath: Tata Sons chair Chandrasekaran skips TCS annual general meeting; Keki Mistry presides in absence

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran was absent from Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, marking his second consecutive day of missing shareholder meetings of Tata Group companies. TCS Company Secretary Yashaswin Sheth informed shareholders that Chandrasekaran would not be attending the AGM due to “some exigencies.” On Wednesday, he had also skipped the AGM of Tata Consumer Products, reportedly because he is focused on the aftermath of the Air India tragedy.The fatal incident involved an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and resulted in the deaths of at least 270 people, including 241 passengers and crew of the aircraft. Seth informed that the company have elected independent director Keki Mistry to preside over the TCS meeting in Chanrasekaran’s absence.“This is a very difficult time for us at the Tata Group. We are all deeply saddened. This is an unimaginable tragedy that has resulted in so many losses of lives. Words can be of no consolation right now,” Mistry said.“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who have lost their lives. Tata Group stands in solidarity with the affected people in these challenging times,” he further added.Before the official proceedings began, the TCS board observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims.Chandrasekaran, who was elevated to the role of Tata Sons Chairman in 2017 after serving as TCS CEO for eight years, has so far not issued a personal statement on the crash.