Ratan Tata’s dog Goa, who he called his “office companion”, was among the mourners who paid their last respects to the legendary industrialist at Mumbai’s National Centre For Performing Arts (NCPA) on Thursday. Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86 at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night.
The stray puppy was found in Goa before it came to Bombay House, Tata’s corporate headquarters. Tata had shared the story of how the dog became a part of his life and how he was named Goa owing to his rescue from the state.
“A few heartwarming moments with the adopted Bombay House dogs this Diwali, especially Goa, my office companion,” he had posted on Instagram.
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Living with his two dogs Tito (German Shepherd) and Tango (Golden Retriever), Tata was known for his love for his pets. “My love for dogs as pets is ever strong and will continue for as long as I live,” he had said in a recent interview with Tata Review.
His two dogs will also a part of the convoy in the car leading his hearse.
“There is an indescribable sadness every time one of my pets passes away and I resolve I cannot go through another parting of that nature. And yet, two-three years down the road, my home becomes too empty and too quiet for me to live without them, so there is another dog that gets my affection and attention, just like the last one,” the businessman had said.
In 2018, Ratan Tata was set to receive a lifetime achievement award for his philanthropic work from Prince Charles (now King Charles III) at Buckingham Palace, as part of an event hosted by the British Asian Trust. However, he cancelled his plans at the last minute because one of his beloved dogs was gravely ill.
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Tata’s Bombay House headquarters offers facilities for stray dogs, including food, water, toys, and a play area, continuing a tradition from Jamsetji Tata’s era. He also supported animal welfare organizations like People for Animals, Bombay SPCA, and Animal Rahat.
The mortal remains of Tata will be taken to the Parsi cemetery in Worli via coastal road around 4 pm, where the last rites will be performed. CM Eknath Shinde has said Tata will be accorded a state funeral and has even passed a resolution seeking Bharat Ratna for the industrialist.
The Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning in the state, the Chief Minister’s Office said. A statement quoting CM Shinde said the national tricolour on government offices in Maharashtra will be flown at half-mast on Thursday as a sign of mourning.
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