Ratan Tata cremated with full state honours

New Delhi, Oct 10: Ratan Naval Tata, 86, one of India’s most loved and respected citizens and a leading industrial leader was cremated in Mumbai with full state honours on Thursday evening following his death late Wednesday night at a private hospital in Mumbai.

Thousands of mourners, from corporate bigwigs to common citizens, queued to pay their final respects and scatter flower petals at the cremation site.

Ratan Tata was seen as one of the most humble, respected towering personalities who had gained deep affection from all walks of life across the nation.

Home Minister Amit Shah stood in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Laos attending the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits, at the cremation ceremony.

PM Modi in his message on X hailed Tata as a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being.”

Shah was joined by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar, and several others.

Tata’s casket, draped in the Indian flag and adorned with white flowers, was taken to the Worli crematorium.

Prayers were offered by representatives of various faiths – Parsi, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh - reflecting the diversity of those who came to bid farewell.

Earlier, his body lay in state at the National Centre for Performing Arts, where thousands including industrialists, politicians, film actors, and sportspersons gathered to pay tributes.

Ratan Tata, who led the Tata Group to global prominence, was admired for his simplicity despite his wealth.

His tenure as chairman of the group saw the acquisition of global brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley.

Even after stepping down in 2012, Ratan Tata remained a guiding force as chairman emeritus until his death.

The Tata Group’s presence in Indian households – from salt and toiletries to cars and airlines - cemented Ratan Tata's influence on the country’s industrial landscape.

As Maharashtra declared a day of mourning, the atmosphere of loss extended beyond the business world.

Described as the “industrialist with a heart of gold,” Tata’s contributions to India’s economic and social development are too long to list.

Ratan Tata’s death marks the end of an era, where business success was inseparable from a deep commitment to philanthropy and humility.

Ratan Tata died at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital late Wednesday night, having been admitted earlier in the week for routine check-ups.

In typical fashion, he downplayed any concerns, remaining private to the end.

His passing leaves a void in both India’s corporate sphere and the hearts of the millions whose lives he touched.