President Emmanuel Macron of France has expressed sorrow at the passing of renowned businessman and Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group Ratan Tata, who passed away on October 9 at a hospital in Mumbai.

Macron said, “France has lost a dear friend from India,” in a social media message published by the French Embassy in India. Innovation and industrial sectors in France and India both benefited from Ratan Tata’s imaginative leadership. Beyond this, his humility, great charitable accomplishments, and humanist vision will define his legacy.”

“I send my sincere condolences to the Indian people and his loved ones. We have great respect and appreciation for your lifetime dedication to advancing society,” he said.

Fighting age-related health problems at the Breach Candy Hospital since Monday, Ratan Tata (86) passed away on Wednesday just before midnight, sending shockwaves across the business and industrial community.

On Thursday morning, his dead remains were brought to the NCPA Lawns so that people may pay their last respects before the evening burial at Mumbai’s Worli Crematorium.

Ratan Tata’s glass-topped, tricolor-draped coffin was placed in a closed, flower-decked van on Thursday afternoon and driven quickly to the Worli Prayer Hall and Crematorium, some 12 kilometers distant.

From the casket at the NCPA Lawns and the Prayer Hall in Worli, his head was hidden by a customary red Parsi prayer hat, and his body was dressed in traditional community costume. Religious men from many backgrounds, including Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Parsi, recited prayers and stood respectfully next to him.

Even though regular traffic was stopped for a while, hundreds of cars carrying security, political, law enforcement, and other VVIPs along with throngs of media personnel sped down the Mumbai Coastal Road.

Thousands of Mumbaikars stood on both sides of the motorcade as it flew away, many of them with tears in their eyes, lifting their hands in a symbolic “Goodbye, Tata.” Some of them were holding little posters or banners with his photographs.

Thousands more residents had descended upon the roads before Worli in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the fabled tycoon, whose businesses, social, educational, health, and charitable endeavors had impacted the lives of countless millions of people during his lifetime.

Large hoardings with pictures of Tata and tributes from the general public expressing their feelings and appreciation for their beloved hero could be seen at various squares and thoroughfares.

Just 200 VVIPs and close family members were allowed to present wreaths and flowers to Ratan Tata’s remains, which had been stored there for some time, at the Worli Crematorium’s prayer hall.

A police crew later transported it to the cremation site. A police band saluted him with a pistol, played the Last Post, took off and folded the tricolor, which was given to a family member.

Similar large-scale and small-scale acts of kindness by Tata that profoundly impacted thousands of people worldwide, either directly or indirectly, were shared on social media. These included his love of dogs and the construction of a fully-fledged animal care hospital in Mahalaxmi for 200 “patients” at a cost of Rs 165 crore, which opened in July 2024, among other heartwarming tales.