Ratan Tata's dog 'Goa' also bid the veteran industrialist an emotional farewell on Thursday, October 10. The stray dog, who was found in Goa, before being brought to Mumbai, had been with Ratan Tata for the last 11 years. Ratan Tata's mortal remains were kept at National Centre for Performing Arts, where several prominent leaders, businessmen, actors, and his family members had arrived to pay final tributes to him, and Goa was one of them.
The business tycoon's last rites were held at Worli Crematorium in Mumbai later in the evening. Ratan Tata was accorded full state honours.
The caretaker of the dog said: "This dog has been with us for the last 11 years. The security guards brought this dog from Goa when we went there for a picnic. Ratan Tata loved him a lot. The name of the dog is Goa since he was brought from Goa..."
In 2020, Ratan Tata had shared a photograph on his Instagram account with Goa and anoyher stray dog on Diwali. He captioned the post, "A few heartwarming moments with the adopted Bombay House dogs this Diwali, especially Goa, my office companion."
During a recent interview with Tata Review, Ratan Tata had spoke at length about his love for dogs. “My love for dogs as pets is ever strong and will continue for as long as I live,” he had said.
Ratan Tata had two other dogs named Tito (German Shepherd) and Tango (Golden Retriever) with whom he lived. They were also a part of the convoy leading his hearse today.
Tata's mortal remains were taken to Worli crematorium via coastal road whre his last rites were held as per the Parsi rituals. Maharashtra government has even passed a resolution seeking Bharat Ratna for the legendary business leader.
Both Maharashtra and Gujarat government declared a day of morning in the states. The national tricolour on government offices in Maharashtra and Gujarat was flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.