Ratan Naval Tata Funeral, Last Rites Highlights: ‘It is indeed an end of era for India Inc’, says HUL CEO Rohit Jawa

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid his respects to the late industrialist Ratan Tata at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai. This gesture was part of the tribute to honor Tata’s immense contributions to Indian industry and society.

SP Group Chairman Shapoorji Mistry expressed his sorrow over Ratan Tata‘s death, calling it the end of an era. He highlighted Tata’s indelible influence on the evolution of the Tata Group, remembering him as a visionary leader whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Raj Thackeray praised Ratan Tata for his generosity, particularly in his support for the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s Nashik Botanical Garden project. Although the initial funds were not sufficient, Tata personally approved additional resources, recognizing the efforts and sincerity behind the project. His personal visit to the garden after its completion reflected his deep commitment to community development.

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MNS president Raj Thackeray shared a heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata, emphasizing their shared love for canines. He recalled how stray dogs were always welcomed in Tata premises, from the Taj Mahal hotel to the group’s headquarters. Thackeray noted that Tata’s love for dogs transcended beyond words, showing a side of him that connected deeply with animals.

Residents of Mumbai’s Parsi Colony, where Ratan Tata’s legacy is deeply felt, have expressed sorrow over his demise. Dayal, a local resident, described Ratan Tata as a “humble and great man” and emphasized how the entire community, along with the nation, has suffered a great loss. Tata’s humility and leadership are remembered fondly.

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Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night, will be honored with a state funeral, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced. The decision reflects the high regard the state and the nation have for the industrialist, whose contributions to business and philanthropy are widely respected.

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Adi Pawari, a 90-year-old former employee of Tata Group, expressed his deep respect and admiration for Ratan Tata, calling him a “wonderful person.” Pawari, who worked closely with the Tata family, shared his fond memories of Naval Tata, Ratan’s father, and Jimmy Tata. He expressed grief over Ratan Tata’s passing, stating, “He will be in heaven,” highlighting the late industrialist’s kindness and character.

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In February 2007, the skies above Bengaluru marked a historic event as Ratan Tata embarked on a rare high-speed adventure. At the age of 69, the esteemed industrialist and philanthropist was invited by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin to co-pilot an F-16 fighter jet during the Aero India Show, an experience few ever get to encounter.

Read More: Ratan Tata’s sky-high adventure: Co-piloting an F-16 fighter jet at Aero India 2007

In an October 2019 conversation with Sudhir Sethi, Chairman of venture capital firm Chiratae Ventures, Ratan Tata reflected on his unexpected journey into startup investing, describing it as a fortunate accident.

Read More: Did you know the industry doyen was an accidental startup investor?

Ratan Tata‘s final initiative, a testament to his passion for animals, was the opening of the Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai this July. This facility was the first of its kind in the country, featuring state-of-the-art technology and providing round-the-clock emergency care for pets.

Read More Her: A friend of furries: Ratan Tata’s last project was the Small Animal Hospital

Actor Anupam Kher expressed his sense of loss following Ratan Tata‘s passing, noting that he always felt Tata would be a constant presence in their lives. He mentioned that even if one doesn’t meet such influential figures daily, their impact can be seen in the nation’s infrastructure and charitable institutions. Kher emphasized that India has lost a true gem. He recalled meeting Tata in London a few years ago, where they had a brief conversation for about five to ten minutes.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray visited the NCPA lawns along with Aadtiya Thackeray, Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant to pay their last tributes to late Ratan Tata in Mumbai.

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#watch | Mumbai | Isha Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited and Anand Piramal, Executive Director of the Piramal Group pay last respects to Ratan Tata pic.twitter.com/wNVv62DwMy

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2024

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed deep sadness over the passing of Ratan Tata, describing him as a pillar of Indian industry. Singh noted that Tata was not just a business icon; his vision and humanity were evident in the numerous charities he established and supported throughout his life. He praised Tata for his bravery in speaking truth to power and fondly recalled the many occasions they worked closely together.

Shantanu Naidu, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, bid farewell to the industrialist, and referred to him as a “lighthouse.” Naidu, who serves as a general manager in the Office of RNT, expressed that the void left by their friendship would be something he would spend his life trying to fill. Later that morning, he was seen riding out of Tata’s residence on a Yezdi motorcycle, leading the truck carrying Tata’s remains. In a brief post, Naidu shared that “grief is the price to pay for love,” accompanied by a photo of the two together, likely taken in a chartered aircraft. Their bond was strengthened by their shared love and concern for dogs, which began when Naidu, a Pune-based young man, started working for a Tata group company.

Ratan Tata‘s cremation is expected to begin post 4 PM at Mumbai’s Worli crematorium. Stay with us as we bring you live coverage of visuals and also updates on who all are attending.

Following the passing of veteran industrialist Ratan Tata, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reflected on Tata’s remarkable impact, noting that he not only built a successful business empire but also made significant contributions to India‘s development and humanitarian efforts. Puri highlighted Tata’s role in the country’s liberalization and expressed that his absence will be deeply felt. He recalled their conversations, including discussions regarding Tata’s bid to acquire Air India. Puri emphasized that Tata will be remembered as a key figure in shaping the modern Indian economy and will continue to be celebrated as a legend. Each meeting with him offered valuable lessons.

In today’s meeting, the Maharashtra Cabinet has resolved to recommend the name of industrialist Ratan Tata for the Bharat Ratna award. Additionally, a condolence resolution was approved by the Cabinet.

Piyush Goyal on Thursday, while giving an interview, became emotional while recalling a fond memory with the late Ratan Tata. He remembered a time when Tata visited his home in Mumbai for breakfast, where they served a simple meal of idli, sambhar, and dosa. Despite likely having access to the finest chefs, Tata expressed genuine appreciation for the humble breakfast, showing kindness to Goyal’s family and even the server. As he was leaving after spending a lovely couple of hours at their home, Tata sweetly asked Goyal’s wife if she would like to take a photo with him. Goyal noted that this thoughtful gesture was a reflection of what made Ratan Tata beloved by 140 crore Indians and admired worldwide.

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal expressed that Ratan Tata was his personal hero. He reflected on their interactions, which began in 2015 when Aggarwal chose to invest in Ola.

Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys and a veteran in the IT industry, expressed that the loss of his ‘dear friend’ Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, is deeply painful. He recognised Tata as a role model for value-based leadership, describing him as a moral compass during moments of uncertainty regarding ethical issues. Murthy recalled a moment from 2020 when he honoured Tata and sought his blessings by touching his feet.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that the passing of Ratan Tata marks the end of an era. Jaishankar noted Tata’s significant contributions to modernizing Indian industry and facilitating its globalization. He expressed his privilege in having interacted with Tata on numerous occasions and benefiting from his vision and insights. Jaishankar joined the nation in mourning Tata’s loss, offering prayers for peace.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the NCPA Lawns in Mumbai on Thursday to pay his last respects to the late Ratan Tata. He expressed his condolences and recognized the significant contributions that Tata had made to the nation.

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#watch | MNS chief Raj Thackeray offers last respects to industrialist Ratan Tata in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/PVv24CddfV

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2024

In a condolence message regarding Ratan Tata‘s passing, BJP leader LK Advani reflected on his last interaction with Tata in February, when he received a heartfelt letter congratulating him on receiving the Bharat Ratna. Advani noted that Tata’s warmth, generosity, and kindness had always been genuinely touching.

In response to Ratan Tata‘s passing, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said that the Tata name is deeply linked to India‘s industrial growth, making significant contributions across various sectors. He emphasised the Tata tradition of ethical business practices and noted that Ratan Tata exemplified the leadership qualities that have defined the group. Somanath shared his own experience studying at the Tata Institute, underscoring the importance that Tatas placed on creating institutions and fostering a culture of employee involvement, education, and philanthropy. He added that Ratan Tata was a highly respected figure in industry, and his loss is felt deeply by many.

Ratan Tata‘s remains are at the NCPA lawns, where the public is lining up at Gate 3. Initially, only Tata employees were allowed entry to pay their final respects.

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#watch | Mumbai | Paying tribute to Ratan Tata, entrepreneur Ananya Birla says, "He was a visionary. He put in so much hard work and discipline for so many years. Hopefully, we all can work hard and take his legacy forward." pic.twitter.com/U53RjvAPlR

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2024

Prominent figures from the film industry, including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Diljit Dosanjh, and SS Rajamouli, expressed their sorrow over the passing of Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group and a revered industrialist. Ratan Tata, who was 86, passed away late Wednesday night at a private hospital in Mumbai. Renowned not only for his leadership in the business world but also for his philanthropic efforts, Tata’s legacy extends beyond corporate achievements. His death marks a profound loss for both the business community and the nation as a whole, as many remember him for his commitment to ethical practices and his visionary approach to industry.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, expressed his condolences, stating, Tata’s passing as a significant loss not just for corporate India, but for the entire country. He said that Tata’s contributions are unmatched, and we should honor his memory through the legacy of his work. ” We met many times, years back – he was sober, frugal and always used to think in the interest of the country,” he said.