New Delhi: Industrialist, philanthropist and dog lover Ratan Tata died yesterday in Mumbai at the age of 86. The national flag will fly at half-mast at government offices in Maharashtra as a mark of respect.
Ratan Tata was very fond of dogs and advocated for the welfare of stray animals. He was passionate about the welfare of abandoned pets and ensuring their safety, especially during the monsoon season, when stray dogs often take shelter under cars.
At his funeral, his dog, ‘Goa’, came to pay his last respects to Mr Tata. There is a story behind why Mr Tata named the dog ‘Goa’.
Once, Ratan Tata was in Goa when a stray dog started living with him. He decided to adopt him and bring him to Mumbai. Mr Tata named him ‘Goa’ and he lives at Bombay House in Mumbai with other stray dogs. Just like the iconic Taj Hotel, stray dogs are welcome at Bombay House – a historic building in the city that serves as the headquarters of the Tata Group.
Mr Tata has shared photos of himself with ‘Goa’ and other dogs on Instagram.
Mr Tata had a deep bond with dogs. In 2018, he was to receive a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the British royal family. The ceremony, hosted by King Charles III (then Prince Charles) and organised by the British Asian Trust, honoured Tata for his philanthropic contributions. Although Tata initially confirmed his attendance, he chose to stay home to take care of his ailing dog. The story was shared by businessman Suhel Seth, who recalled how Tata explained: “Tango and Tito, my dogs – one of them has become very sick. I can’t leave him and come.”
Among his many projects, Mr Tata had a vision for the Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai (SAHM), a facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology to care for animals. The initiative was very close to his heart, and his efforts to provide quality care for animals highlighted his dedication to improving the lives of stray and pet animals.
The hospital opened in July and is a five-floor centre that can accommodate around 200 patients.
The project was announced in 2017 and is planned to be located in Navi Mumbai. However, Tata felt that the commute would be cumbersome for pet parents and hence, he shifted the hospital to a central location.
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