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France Mourns Ratan Tata: Macron Pays Tribute to a Visionary Leader
French President Emmanuel Macron condoled the demise of iconic industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, Ratan Tata who left for his heavenly abode at a Mumbai hospital on October 9.
Posting on social media, the French Embassy in India quoted Macron as saying : "France has lost a dear friend from India. Ratan Tata's visionary helmsmanship contributed to boosting industries in India and France, in innovation and manufacturing. Beyond this, his legacy will be marked by his humanist vision, immense philanthropic achievements and his humility".
"I extend my deepest condolence to his near and dear ones as well as to the people of India. We will remember your lifelong commitment to the betterment of society with admiration and respect", he said.
At 85 years, after battling with age-related health issues at the Breach Candy Hospital since Monday, Ratan Tata took his last breath just before midnight on Wednesday, plunging the world of industry and corporates into gloom.
The mortal remains of the industrialist were taken to NCPA Lawns on Thursday morning so that the people could pay their last respects before the funeral in the evening at the Worli Crematorium in Mumbai.
Ratan Tata's glass-topped coffin draped in the Tricolour was mounted in a closed flower-bedecked van which sped off to the Prayer Hall and Crematorium at Worli, about 12 km away on Thursday afternoon.
From the coffin in the NCPA Lawns and the Prayer Hall in Worli, where Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Parsi religious men chanted prayers and stood reverently beside him, his body was unveiled wearing attire typically sported by the community, covered by the traditional red Parsi prayer cap on his head.
Hundred of vehicles carrying the police, security, political and other VVIPs plus hordes of media persons sped along the Mumbai Coastal Road even as normal traffic movement was stopped for a while.
En route, on both sides were thousands of Mumbaikars-many with moist eyes-raising their hands in a symbolic 'Goodbye, Tata', some carrying small posters or placards with his photos as the motorcade zipped away.
Before Worli, there had been tens of thousands of locals who had thronged out to the roads and stood both sides in the hope of catching a glimpse of this legendary tycoon who during his lifetime had touched many millions of lives through his industries, social, educational, health, and philanthropic activities.
Several squares and roads had hoardings of large banners with pictures of Tata and tributes by the commoners as they put out feelings of gratitude for the iconic hero.
Only 200 VVIPs and near and dear family members were allowed to pay wreaths and flowers at the mortuary remains of Ratan Tata at the prayer hall of the Worli Crematorium for some time.
Afterward, the police team took it to the cremation spot. A police band played the Last Post, accorded him a gun salute and removed and folded the Tricolour which was handed over to a relative.
Such gigantic and minuscule gestures of Tata went viral on social media, leaving an indelible mark on the thousand people across the world, be it a direct or indirect love he bore for the 'patients', a full-fledged animal care hospital at Rs 165 crores in Mahalaxmi for 200 'patients', which was inaugurated in July 2024, and many more touching stories.
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