Ratan Tata cremated with full state honours in Mumbai: Thousands bid tearful adieu to veteran industrialist

RATAN Tata, the esteemed chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, was cremated with full state honours in Maharashtra's Worli on yesterday evening.

Thousands - including a slew of celebrities and politicians - gathered on the NCPA lawns in Mumbai during the day to pay their last respects to the businessman. 

Tata was also given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Mumbai Police after his mortal remains were brought to a crematorium at Worli for final rites.

He breathed his last at Mumbai's Breach-Candy Hospital on Wednesday. The chairman emeritus of the Tata Group was 86.

His casket was wrapped in the Indian flag and covered with wreaths of white flowers.

Fellow business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, Home Minister Amit Shah and Bollywood star Aamir Khan were among those present to say goodbye.

Also in attendance was Ratan Tata's dog, Goa, accompanied by two Tata employees. The dog was rescued from the streets of Goa state, which gave it its name.

Tributes have also poured in from leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief ministers of almost every state.

The tycoon, who had a reputation for being modest and shy, was known for his philanthropic work, including animal welfare, health and education.

In 2000 Tata was given the Padma Bhushan, one of India's most distinguished civilian awards.

He also received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, in 2008 for exceptional and distinguished service in trade and industry.

Tata Group, a sprawling collection of nearly 100 companies, employs more than 350,000 people worldwide.

A young Sekhar during one of his meetings with Tata. - October 11, 2024

A true leader of humanity

A Malaysian who has been friends with Tata for the last 30 years is philanthropist and businessman Datuk Vinod Sekhar.

"My close friend and mentor of 30 years is gone. This man embodied what it was to be a true leader of not just corporations, or people, but a true leader of humanity. 

"My whole basis for social capitalism was based on his perspective and vision. That’s how it started. He was so intellectually sharp and could be dryly funny. 

"Even the biggest corporate tycoons in India would consider themselves below his stature. I will miss him so much, and it hurts right now in the pit of my stomach, knowing what the world has lost. I’m finding it hard to imagine he won’t be around," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Sekhar said he hopes that the Tata Group stands tall and continues the journey started by Jamshedji, JRD and now Ratan. 

"Chess, not chequers. Take the whole board, not individual moves. Play and win for the years not the quarters, only then are you permanent. Only then are you forever.

"Ratanji - God bless and welcome you home to his warm embrace. You’ve done so well. Rest now. We will carry on," he concluded. - October 11, 2024