Ratan Tata gets state funeral as India bids farewell to business tycoon
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, hundredsof people including corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities gathered in India's financial hub Mumbai topay their last respects to Tata, who died aged 86 on Wednesday.
Known for his exemplary business acumen and philanthropic nature, Tata aschairman led various companies withinthe 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
면책조항: XM Group 회사는 체결 전용 서비스와 온라인 거래 플랫폼에 대한 접근을 제공하여, 개인이 웹사이트에서 또는 웹사이트를 통해 이용 가능한 콘텐츠를 보거나 사용할 수 있도록 허용합니다. 이에 대해 변경하거나 확장할 의도는 없습니다. 이러한 접근 및 사용에는 다음 사항이 항상 적용됩니다: (i) 이용 약관, (ii) 위험 경고, (iii) 완전 면책조항. 따라서, 이러한 콘텐츠는 일반적인 정보에 불과합니다. 특히, 온라인 거래 플랫폼의 콘텐츠는 금융 시장에서의 거래에 대한 권유나 제안이 아닙니다. 금융 시장에서의 거래는 자본에 상당한 위험을 수반합니다.
온라인 거래 플랫폼에 공개된 모든 자료는 교육/정보 목적으로만 제공되며, 금융, 투자세 또는 거래 조언 및 권고, 거래 가격 기록, 금융 상품 또는 원치 않는 금융 프로모션의 거래 제안 또는 권유를 포함하지 않으며, 포함해서도 안됩니다.
이 웹사이트에 포함된 모든 의견, 뉴스, 리서치, 분석, 가격, 기타 정보 또는 제3자 사이트에 대한 링크와 같이 XM이 준비하는 콘텐츠 뿐만 아니라, 제3자 콘텐츠는 일반 시장 논평으로서 "현재" 기준으로 제공되며, 투자 조언으로 여겨지지 않습니다. 모든 콘텐츠가 투자 리서치로 해석되는 경우, 투자 리서치의 독립성을 촉진하기 위해 고안된 법적 요건에 따라 콘텐츠가 의도되지 않았으며, 준비되지 않았다는 점을 인지하고 동의해야 합니다. 따라서, 관련 법률 및 규정에 따른 마케팅 커뮤니케이션이라고 간주됩니다. 여기에서 접근할 수 있는 앞서 언급한 정보에 대한 비독립 투자 리서치 및 위험 경고 알림을 읽고, 이해하시기 바랍니다.
