Ratan Tata Passes Away: India Bids Farewell to Philanthropic Icon

India paid its final respects to Ratan Tata, the legendary industrialist and philanthropist, as his last rites were held with full state honours in central Mumbai. On Thursday, Mumbai Police gave Tata a ceremonial gun salute at the Worli crematorium, where family members, including his half-brother Noel Tata, and top executives from Tata Group, like chairman N Chandrasekaran, were present.

Several dignitaries attended the funeral. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde were among those present to pay their respects. The final rites were conducted following Parsi traditions, with a priest confirming that three days of rituals would be held at Tata's Colaba residence after the funeral.

Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday night at Breach Candy Hospital, aged 86. In response to his death, the Maharashtra government declared a day of mourning, with all government buildings flying the national flag at half-mast. “Ratan Tata's funeral will be conducted with all state honours,” the CMO of Maharashtra announced.

Shantanu Naidu, a long-time aide to Tata, shared a heartfelt farewell. In an emotional post, he described Tata as his "lighthouse," reflecting on their close friendship. Naidu was later seen leading the vehicle carrying Tata’s remains to the crematorium on his Yezdi motorcycle.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi called Tata a "visionary business leader" and an "extraordinary human being." Tata, who was born in Mumbai on December 28, 1937, led the Tata Group from 1991 until his retirement in 2012 and was named Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.