India's Ratan Tata dead: Hundreds gather to pay last respects

10/10/2024 17:21

        Hundreds of people, including corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities, gathered in Mumbai on Thursday to pay their last respects to one of India's most respected business tycoons, Ratan Tata, who died aged 86.
        
        Known for his exemplary business acumen and philanthropic nature, as chairman he led various companies under the Tata conglomerate for more than 20 years, which had 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 his popularity that transcended boundaries and generations.
        
        "India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart," U.S. ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on X.