Renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata was laid to rest with full state honors at a crematorium in central Mumbai on Thursday, October 10, 2024. The Mumbai police paid their respects with a gun salute. Family members, including his half-brother Noel Tata, and top executives from the Tata Group, such as chairman N. Chandrasekaran, were present to bid farewell.
Earlier in the day, Tata’s body was moved from his residence to the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in South Mumbai, where the public could pay their final respects. He had passed away at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on October 9, following complications related to age and blood pressure.
Tributes poured in from across the nation, including a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described Tata as a “visionary business leader” and a “compassionate soul.” The Congress Party also expressed their sorrow, recognizing Tata as a titan of Indian industry.
The business community and public figures joined in mourning the loss of Tata. In a statement, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran extended condolences, saying Tata’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations. CEOs of major corporations, including Hindustan Unilever and Tata Steel, lauded his contributions to Indian business and philanthropy. Industry leaders, including Mukesh Ambani and Shapoorji Mistry, paid their final respects, remembering Tata as a transformative figure who modernized Indian industry and left an indelible mark on its global presence.
Tata’s vision for Air India came full circle in 2022 when the Tata Group regained control of the airline, fulfilling a long-held dream. In his career, Tata expanded the Tata Group’s revenues dramatically, while maintaining a focus on corporate social responsibility.
As Ratan Tata was cremated, surrounded by family, business leaders, and political figures, it marked the end of an era for India Inc., and the loss of a leader whose humility and far-reaching vision changed the face of Indian industry.
