Ratan Tata gets state funeral as India bids farewell to business tycoon (updated)

Tata Technologies

10/10/2024 14:05

(Updates, adds Bill Gates quote in paragraph 8, funeral details
in 9-12)
    By Tanvi Mehta
       NEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Reuters) - 
    India bade farewell on Thursday to one of its most respected
corporate leaders - Ratan Tata, who expanded companies under his
brand name into a global behemoth spanning multiple industries. 
  
    Ahead of a state funeral, hundreds of people including
corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities gathered in
India's financial hub Mumbai to pay their last respects to Tata,
who died aged 86 on Wednesday. 
    Known for his exemplary business acumen and philanthropic
nature, Tata as chairman led various companies within the Tata
conglomerate for more than 20 years. It recorded 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 a popularity that transcended boundaries and
generations. 
    "India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart,"
U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on X regarding Tata, who was
awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian
honour.
         Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates said on LinkedIn:
"Ratan Tata was a visionary leader whose dedication to improving
lives left an indelible mark on India—and the world... His loss
will be felt around the world for years to come, but I know the
legacy he left and example he set will continue to inspire
generations." 
    Draped in the Indian national flag, Ratan Tata's body was
kept at a cultural centre in Mumbai before being cremated with
full state honours. 
        Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Sons'
N. Chandrasekaran and Aditya Birla Group's Kumar Mangalam Birla
were among business leaders who paid their last respects.
  
        Other attendees included India's Home Minister Amit
Shah, central bank governor Shaktikanta Das, cricketer Sachin
Tendulkar and actor Aamir Khan.
  
    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.
    His love for animals led him to start the Small Animal
Hospital in Mumbai and he often used social media to voice his
concern for stray animals. His pet dog was brought to the
funeral. 
    "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 and Mark
Heinrich)
 ((tanvi.mehta@thomsonreuters.com; https://twitter.com/TanviMehta710;))