Touching tribute: Ratan Tata's adopted dog Goa pays tribute during last rites; video goes viral
The dog was adopted by Tata while he was on a trip to Goa
Mumbai: Indian businessman and philanthropist Ratan Tata who adopted a stray dog, Goa during one of his visits to the city was brought to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) on Thursday to pay last respects to Tata after he passed away on October 9 at the age of 86.
The caretaker of the dog said that Goa had been with the family for over eleven years after he had been brought from Goa state.
"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," the caretaker said.
Tata earlier evealed on Instagram that once, he was in Goa when a stray dog started following him. He decided to adopt him and bring him to Mumbai. He named him 'Goa' and gave him shelter at the Bombay House in Mumbai along with other stray dogs.
The event highlighted the importance of adopting stray animals and promoting compassion towards all living beings. Ratan Tata has been a long-time supporter of animal welfare initiatives. His adoption of Goa underscored the importance of adopting stray animals and providing them with loving homes.
A strong advocate for animal rights, he had issued instructions that the headquarters of Tata Group, Bombay House is also famous for inviting stray dogs inside its premises, allowing them to roam free.
The 'Small Animal Hospital', Mumbai (SAHM) was started by Tata trusts, a philanthropic institution, to care for cats and dogs. The speciality pet hospital started being operational on July 1. The hospital offers life support to critically ill and injured animals, advanced diagnostic services, including CT scans, ultrasound and MRIs. The hospital offers 24/7 emergency services.
Moreover, Ratan Tata had also issued instructions to Mumbai's Taj Hotel that stray animals would be allowed inside the premises of the hotel.
Earlier, the Maharashtra government had declared a day of mourning. Additionally, the Gujarat government also declared one day of mourning. The national flag will be flown at half-mast and no cultural or entertainment programme of the government will be held today.
Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday night at the Breach Candy Hospital in the city.
Ratan Tata, born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, was the Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic trusts in India.
He was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. Then he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. He was honoured with the country's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008.