Ratan Tata, the 86-year-old Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group and a pioneering figure in Indian industry, was laid to rest with traditional Parsi rituals in Mumbai on Wednesday. He passed away at Breach Candy Hospital and was given a state funeral by the Maharashtra government to honour his immense contributions to the nation. The late business magnate’s body was kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point for the public to pay their respects before the final rites. His funeral was attended by a large gathering of friends, family, and dignitaries. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was present on behalf of the government to pay tribute to Tata’s remarkable legacy. Parsi Funeral Traditions In accordance with the Zoroastrian traditions followed by the Parsi community, Ratan Tata’s body was first prepared for the final rites. As per custom, the body was washed and dressed in traditional Parsi attire by the Nassesalars, specialized pallbearers trained in handling the deceased. The body was then wrapped in a white shroud, known as the sudreh (a cotton vest), and kusti, a sacred cord worn around the waist. Noel Tata poised to lead $165 billion Tata Group! Before being taken for the final rites, Parsi priests performed prayers and blessings designed to help the soul of the deceased transition smoothly into the afterlife. Family members and close relatives gathered to pay their respects and participate in these solemn prayers. Traditionally, Parsi bodies are taken to the Tower of Silence, or Dakhma, where they are exposed to natural elements and scavenger birds, typically vultures. This practice, known as Dokhmenashini, is believed to prevent the contamination of the sacred elements of fire, earth, and water. The vultures consume the flesh of the deceased, while the bones eventually fall into a central well within the tower, where they decompose naturally. Modern Adaptations However, given the decline in vulture populations and the changing environmental landscape, many Parsi families, especially in urban areas, have begun adopting alternative methods. In some cases, solar concentrators are used to aid the decomposition process. In recent years, with the growing scarcity of vultures, electric cremation has emerged as a practical and environmentally friendly option for many Parsi families. If the traditional Dakhma method is not feasible, the body is taken to an electric crematorium. Here, the cremation is conducted in a manner that respects Zoroastrian principles of not contaminating the earth, fire, or water. A State Funeral for Tata The Maharashtra government’s decision to grant Ratan Tata a state funeral highlights the significant role he played in shaping modern India’s industrial landscape. His contributions to business, philanthropy, and nation-building have left an indelible mark on the country’s development. Ratan Tata: A life of achievements and unfulfilled love stories After the public viewing at the NCPA, his body was taken to the Worli crematorium at 3:30 pm for the final rites. The ceremony was attended by prominent personalities from the worlds of business, politics, and civil society, all paying their last respects to the man who guided the Tata Group to global prominence. As the nation mourns the loss of a visionary leader, Ratan Tata’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.    

Ratan Tata, the revered industrialist and philanthropist, passed away at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86, following a prolonged illness. Tata’s death marks the end of an era for Indian business, given his far-reaching impact on the industry and society at large. Despite his towering stature in the corporate world, Tata chose to remain a bachelor throughout his life. Although he was honoured with numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, he never married, a decision influenced by circumstances and timing rather than preference. In a candid interview on the iconic talk show Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, Tata revealed that he had come close to marriage on multiple occasions. Indian industrial Icon Ratan Tata passes away Reflecting on his life, he admitted that he had fallen in love four times but none of these relationships culminated in marriage. The reason, he shared, was often his overwhelming professional commitments, which took precedence over his personal life. While he sometimes felt lonely, he also appreciated the freedom that came with being single. Interestingly, Tata was also in a relationship with Simi Garewal herself, a fact that she acknowledged in a 2011 interview. Their relationship, however, did not lead to marriage. In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, Tata reminisced about his first love, which blossomed while he was living in Los Angeles. He recalled how he came very close to tying the knot, but fate intervened when he had to return to India to visit his ailing grandmother, whom he hadn’t seen in nearly seven years. Although he hoped his partner would eventually join him in India, the turbulent geopolitical climate at the time—exacerbated by the 1962 Indo-China war—led her parents to dissuade her from moving, putting an end to their relationship. Ratan Tata’s mortal remains will be laid at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point, Mumbai, on Thursday, where the public can pay their respects. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Tata will be accorded a state funeral in honour of his monumental contributions to the nation.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India's biggest conglomerates Tata Group, has passed away. He was 86. He was admitted to the hospital due to age and health-related issues, according to the Times of India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over Ratan Tata’s demise, describing him as a visionary business leader, a compassionate individual, and an extraordinary human being. Maggie Smith, a favourite among fans of 'Harry Potter' and ‘Downton Abbey,’ dies at 89 "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. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better," Modi wrote in a post on X.  

The Indian government has sold the country's ailing national carrier Air India to salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group for 2.4 billion US dollars. Air India was originally founded by the Tata Group as Tata Airlines in 1932. But it was nationalised by the Indian government in 1953, some six years after the country gained independence from Britain. Moments after the Indian government announced the name of the Tata Group as the successful bidder for the airline, its Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata tweeted a photograph of the company's founder JRD Tata posing with an Air India aircraft. "Welcome back, Air India,” the 83-year-old industrialist wrote. In a statement that he shared with the tweet, Ratan said: "Air India, under the leadership of Mr JRD Tata, had at one time, gained the reputation of being one of the most prestigious airlines in the world. Tatas will have the opportunity of regaining the image and reputation enjoyed in earlier years." Read: India's Tata Group founder world's 'biggest giver in 100 years' "Mr JRD Tata would have been overjoyed if he was in our midst today. We also need to recognize and thank the government for its recent policy of opening select industries to the private sector," he added. The Indian government had long tried to offload a controlling stake in the airline. But after its initial bid failed to attract buyers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had announced that it would sell its entire stake in the national carrier, reeling under a debt of US dollar 3.2 billion. "The Tatas has emerged as the highest bidder. Tatas won the bid at Indian rupees 18,000 crore," Tuhin Kant Pandey, a top government official, told the local media. Air India has many assets, including prized slots at London's Heathrow airport and a fleet of over 130 aircraft. On the other hand, the Tata Group currently operates Vistara, the country's only other full-service private carrier, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines.