Delhi: Shantanu Naidu, general manager at Ratan Tata's office and a close associate, shared an emotional tribute to his "dear lighthouse" following the death of the 86-year-old former Tata Group chairman on Wednesday.

The passing of the iconic industrialist marks the end of a more than two-decade legacy of leading various verticals within the Tata Group.

Tata left an indelible mark on India and the world through his visionary leadership in both business and philanthropy. His accomplishments not only inspired countless people but also earned the deep respect and admiration of people from all walks of life in India.

Naidu, an MBA graduate from Cornell University and founder of the Goodfellows startup, expressed his grief in a LinkedIn post, writing, "The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love."

At 28, Naidu belongs to the fifth generation of his family to work for the Tata Group.

This morning, he was seen riding a Yezdi motorcycle, leading the truck that carried Tata's mortal remains. The two shared a deep bond, built on their mutual love for dogs, said an NDTV report.

Ratan Tata's remains were taken to the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai, before being taken to a crematorium in Worli, where he will be given a state funeral.

Born in 1937 in what was then Bombay, Tata, educated at Cornell University, was known for his risk-taking nature.

He assumed control of the family empire in 1991, coinciding with India's economic liberalization.

Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded globally, acquiring iconic British luxury brands like Jaguar and Land Rover.

In later years, Tata focused on running the group's charitable arm and investing in some of India's most promising startups.