Ratan Tata will be cremated in Mumbai with full state honors

The funeral of Ratan Tata, the former chairman of one of India's largest corporations, the Tata Group, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86, took place in Mumbai.

Business leaders, politicians and celebrities were among the thousands of people who paid their last respects at the center where his body lay in state before he was cremated.

The state of Maharashtra declared a day of mourning and his coffin received a military salute as it was taken away for burial rites.

Ratan Tata took over as chairman of the group in 1991 and is credited with turning it into a global powerhouse.

Thousands came to pay their respects at the National Center for Performing Arts in Mumbai, where Ratan Tata's body was recovered in the morning.

His coffin was draped in the Indian flag and covered with wreaths of white flowers.

Among those present to say goodbye were his business colleague Mukesh Ambani, Home Minister Amit Shah and Bollywood star Aamir Khan.

Also present was Ratan Tata's dog Goa, accompanied by two Tata employees. The dog was rescued from the streets of the state of Goa, which gave him his name.

The tycoon, who was considered modest and shy, was known for his philanthropic work, including animal welfare, health and education.

Tata's death was announced on Wednesday evening. He was hospitalized earlier this week.

“His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed,” a company statement said.

The Tata Group is one of India's largest companies with annual sales of over $100 billion (£76.5 billion) and he was one of India's most internationally recognized business leaders.

Founded 155 years ago, the group encompasses a business empire ranging from Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Steel to aviation and salt pans.

During his 20-year tenure, the group made several high-profile acquisitions, including the takeover of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus, UK-based car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, and Tetley, the world's second-largest tea company.

Some of those decisions paid off, while others – including a failed telecommunications company and the Nano, which was touted as the world's cheapest car but was a flop – lost money.

Tata was born in 1937 in a traditional Parsi family. He studied architecture and civil engineering at Cornell University in the USA.

In 1962, he joined Tata Industries – the group's development company – as an assistant and completed six months of training at a company factory in Jamshedpur.

From there he worked at Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and National Radio and Electronics (Nelco).

In 1991, JRD Tata, who had led the group for over half a century, appointed Ratan Tata as his successor. “He (JRD Tata) was my greatest mentor… he was like a father and a brother to me – and not enough has been said about that,” Tata later told an interviewer.

In 2008, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Tata as a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an exceptional human being.”