Ratan Tata now memory, but his legacy lives on

The final rites of renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata were performed with full state honours at a central Mumbai crematorium on Thursday evening.

The Mumbai police paid tribute to Tata with a gun salute.

The industry titan's family members, including the half-brother Noel Tata, and top executives from the Tata Group like chairman N Chandrasekaran, were present at the crematorium in Worli.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Congress leader and former CM Sushilkumar Shinde, among others, were also present.

The last rites were performed as per the Parsi tradition, one of the priests present at the crematorium said.

After the funeral, there will be three more days of rituals which will be conducted at the late industrialist's bungalow in Colaba, south Mumbai, he said.

Tata (86), a Padma Vibhushan recipient, died after a brief illness at a city hospital late on Wednesday night.

From political leaders to business titans to the film fraternity, the entire nation is mourning the death of veteran and the most beloved industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away on October 9, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished forever.

In a notable gesture, his stepmother Simone Tata and close aide Shantanu Naidu also attended the last rites ceremony. Ratan Tata's adopted stray dog 'Goa' was also brought to pay last respects to Tata.

Tributes have poured in from several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chief Ministers of almost every state.