Ratan Tata’s Final Journey: Thousands Bid Farewell, Last Rites Performed With State Honours

Mumbai: What Ratan Naval Tata meant to India was clearly reflected in Mumbai on Thursday as thousands of teary-eyed people bid farewell to the legendary industrialist and philanthropist.

The 86-year-old industry titan and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, who breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital here on Wednesday night, was given a state funeral by the Maharashtra government.

His funeral took place according to Parsi rituals, and he was later cremated at Worli crematorium.

An endless stream of humanity went to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point, where his mortal remains lay in state, wrapped in the National flag.

Then, when his body was taken to the crematorium in Worli, thousands took to the streets along the 12 km route to have one last look at the tall but unassuming Mumbai-born ‘captain’ who transformed the Tatas into a global powerhouse.

There were people of all ages – from youths to senior octagenatians – who had tears in their eyes. Not only those whose lives were directly touched by the man with a heart of gold, many more who heard of his revered deeds and revered him felt a personal loss as Tata undertook his final journey.

As for VIPs, no one wanted to pay a last homage.

Home Minister Amit Shah, along with some of his Cabinet colleagues were in attendance, in the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who left for Laos to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and several political leaders across parties visited NCPA and were present at Worli crematorium too. As were the country’s most influential celebrities — actors and sportspersons — and the richest, including Ambanis and Adanis.

Among family members present at Worli crematorium were his half-brother Noel Tata, along with top Tata Group executives like chairman N Chandrasekaran.

Stampede-like situation

Outside the NCPA, where his body was kept from 10.30 am to 4 pm for public viewing, a stampede-like situation developed as large crowds gathered and stood in queues to pay their tributes.

As the crowds got impatient, police had to resort to a lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

The Maharashtra government declared October 10 as a day of mourning and cancelled all government events for the day.