Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 10 : From political leaders to business titans to the film fraternity, the entire nation is mourning the death of veteran and the most beloved industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away on October 9, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished forever.
Final rites of Ratan Tata were held on Thursday evening with full state honours at Worli Crematorium in Mumbai.
In a notable gesture, his stepmother Simone Tata and close aide Shantanu Naidu also attended the last rites ceremony. Ratan Tata's adopted stray dog 'Goa' was also brought to pay last respects to Tata.
Tributes have poured in from several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chief Ministers of almost every state.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi said he was "extremely pained" by Ratan Tata's passing away and highlighted his leadership and contributions to society.
"Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India's oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better," PM Modi wrote on X.
"Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti," PM Modi said in the post.
Union Minister Amit Shah attended the last rituals of the veteran industrialist on behalf of the Government of India. He took to X and said the nation will always cherish his legacy as a visionary business leader, a philanthropist, and a committed patriot.
"Paid last respects to Ratan Tata Ji in Mumbai. The nation will always cherish his legacy as a visionary business leader, a philanthropist, and a committed patriot," Shah said.
Apart from him, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders were in attendance at the Worli crematorium.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi took to X and offered his condolences on the demise of Ratan Tata.
"Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy. My condolences to his family and the Tata community," he said.
Describing Ratan Tata's demise as a "huge loss" for the entire nation, businessman and his close companion, Niranjan Hiranandani expressed deep sorrow.
He said, "The nation mourns a great leader, a visionary, an industrialist, a charitable person, but more than all, the great success of the Tata empire, which has grown by leaps and bounds."
Describing it as a "sad day for India," Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Ratan Tata and said that the passing of Ratan Tata filled him with "immense grief."
In a post on X, the Reliance Industries Chairman remembered Tata as a visionary industrialist, philanthropist, and dear friend and extended heartfelt condolences to the Tata family and the entire Tata Group.
Adani Group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani offered condolences on the demise of industrialist Ratan Tata and said that India has lost "a giant, a visionary."
In his tributes to the veteran industrialist, Gautam Adani, in a post on X, said, "India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India's path. Ratan Tata wasn't just a business leader - he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti."
Penning a heartfelt note, Sunil Bharti Mittal said, "I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ratan Tata. He leaves behind an astronomical imprint on the Indian industry, philanthropy and the perennial zest to better the world we live in."
The mortal remains of the beloved figure was kept at the lawns of the NCPA at Nariman Point in the city for the masses to pay their last respects. A huge throng of people gathered at the NCPA lawns to pay their last respects.
Gujarat and Maharashtra government declared one day of mourning in respect of Ratan Tata today. The national flag will be flown at half-mast and no cultural or entertainment programme of the government will be held today.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cabinet-led by CM Shinde passed a resolution, urging the Centre to confer country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna to esteemed personality Ratan Tata in recognition of his achievements.
Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, was the Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic trusts in India.
He was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Then he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. He was honoured with the country's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008.