Students and young people gathered at the NCPA on Thursday to pay their last respects to Ratan Tata, honoring him not just as an industrialist, but as a philanthropic role model known for his compassion for animals.

Abhishek Gabhne, a 23-year-old MBA student from Nagpur, came to the National Centre for Performing Arts in south Mumbai to pay tribute to Tata, who passed away on Wednesday night. For him, Tata epitomized philanthropy.

“I felt like I lost a family member. He did so much for the people and the country,” Gabhne said. “If people can visit Lalbaughcha Raja, then it’s only right to pay respect to the man who ruled the hearts of many,” he added, enduring the humidity and long queue.

Rohit Rathod, a 22-year-old college student from Colaba, also came to honor Tata’s contributions through the Tata Trusts and his love for animals. “Such individuals will never come again,” Rathod remarked.

Sujay Kulkarni, 24, an employee at the Centre for Developing Advanced Computing, shared that he has admired Tata’s work since childhood. He referred to Tata as a “yug purush,” a great man of his era. “Who else deserves respect if not him?” Kulkarni asked.

Tata, who transformed the Tata Group into a global powerhouse, died at 86 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. Thousands from all walks of life, including politicians and corporate leaders, came to the NCPA to pay homage to the legendary industrialist.

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