Mumbai, 10th October 2024 : The world mourns the loss of Veteran Industrialist and Philanthropist Ratan Naval Tata, thousands pay homage as final rites to the legendary Business tycoon.
The mortal remains of Former Chairman of Tata Group will be taken to National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in South Mumbai on Thursday (October 10, 2024) from his house, decked with white flowers and wrapped with the Indian flag, for the people to pay their last respect for the departed soul. The ceremony will be attended by top industrialists, politicians, movie stars and others.
“In the sad demise of Shri Ratan Tata, India has lost an icon who blended corporate growth with nation building, and excellence with ethics. A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. I convey my condolences to his family, the entire team of the Tata Group and his admirers across the globe.” wrote the President of India Smt. Draupadi Murmu on X (formally Twitter).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the ceremony on behalf of the Government of India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed to Laos to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. Mr Shah, accompanied by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pay their last respects.
“Shri 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. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better.” tweets Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, along with his wife Nita, son Aakash and his daughter-in-law Shloka honor their last tributes to deceased Legend Ratan Tata. Other Business leaders attending the ceremony include N. Chandrasekaran of Tata Sons and Kumar Mangalam Birla of Aditya Birla Group.
Other attendees include Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Actor Aamir, Kiran Rao, employees of Tata Group and their families who have been connected to Mr Tata, and hundreds of students whose lives are directly or indirectly influenced and motivated by his simplicity, gentleness, integrity, strategic visionary leadership and his selfless contribution to the community.
“The passing away of Ratan Tata is the end of an era. He was deeply associated with the modernisation of Indian industry. And even more so with its globalization. Was my privilege to have interacted with him on numerous occasions. Join the nation in mourning his demise. Om shanti.” wrote Dr. S. Jaishankar on his X (formally Twitter).
“In his life, and demise, Mr Ratan Tata has moved the nation. From his love for animals to philanthropy, he showed that true progress can only be achieved when we care for those who don’t have the means to take care of themselves. Rest in peace, Mr Tata. Your legacy will continue to live through the institutions you built and values that you embraced” tweets Sachin Tendulkar.
“At 3:30 pm on Thursday (October 10,2024) his body will be taken to Worli Crematorium for last rites”, the CM said. His final rites will be performed in Parsi rituals. He was a prominent figure not only in the corporate business empire, but also in the Parsi community for his generous contribution. His cremation will reflect a shift in Parsi traditions. Traditionally, the Zoroastrians of Parsi community disposed their dead through a unique practice called “sky-burial”, where bodies are placed in a Tower of Silence, also known as “Dakhma” and exposed to natural elements and scavenging birds, primarily vultures, and the bones eventually fall into the central well within the Tower of Silence for further decomposition. But in recent years, with the decline of vulture population in India, many members of the Parsi community have opted for electric cremation rather than the traditional Tower of Silence.