Hundreds gather to pay last respects to India's iconic business tycoon Ratan Tata

Tata Technologies

10/10/2024 08:27

By Tanvi Mehta
       NEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Hundreds of people,
including corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities,
gathered in Mumbai on Thursday to pay their last respects to one
of India's most respected business tycoons, Ratan Tata, who died
aged 86. 
    Known for his exemplary business acumen and philanthropic
nature, as chairman he led various companies under the Tata
conglomerate for more than 20 years, which had revenue of $165
billion in 2023-24.
    Although in recent years Tata was not as active in the
day-to-day running of the group, he was consulted on big
decisions by the Tata Sons leadership, a senior company
executive told Reuters.
    Tata had been in a Mumbai hospital since Monday, but the
cause of his death was not immediately made public.
    After his death, tributes poured in from around the world,
underlining his popularity that transcended boundaries and
generations. 
    "India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart,"
U.S. ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on X. 
    "He ... was instrumental in mentoring and developing the
modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about
making India better," Google  GOOGL.O  Chief Executive Sundar
Pichai said. 
    Draped in the Indian national flag, Ratan Tata's body was
kept at a cultural centre in Mumbai, and his funeral will be
conducted later in the day with full state honours.       
    India's central bank governor Shaktikanta Das, Tata Sons
Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar
Mangalam Birla were among early visitors to pay their last
respects to the Padma Vibhushan awardee - India's second-highest
civilian honour. 
    A licensed pilot who would occasionally fly the company
plane, Tata never married and was known for his quiet demeanour,
relatively modest lifestyle and philanthropic work.
    "We will remember his legacy of transformative giving to
Cornell," his alma mater Cornell University said on X, calling
Tata their most generous international donor.

 (Reporting by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Michael Perry)
 ((tanvi.mehta@thomsonreuters.com; https://twitter.com/TanviMehta710;))