A month after Ratan Tata’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the absence of the former chairman of the Tata Group was “deeply felt in every section of society”. The prime minister on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to the beloved billionaire, announcing his contribution to India.

The Indian businessman passed away on October 9 at the age of 86. Ratan Tata was leading The Tata Group, one of the largest companies with annual revenues of over $100 billion.

Here is the prime minister’s full tribute to India’s most internationally recognized business leaders.

PM Modi remembers Ratan Tata: Full speech

It has been a month since Shri Ratan Tata Ji left us. Its absence is deeply felt in every segment of society, from crowded cities and towns to villages. Seasoned industrialists, budding entrepreneurs and hard-working professionals are mourning his loss. Those who are passionate about the environment and committed to philanthropy are equally upset. His absence was deeply felt not only across the country but around the world.

For the youth, Shri Ratan Tata was an inspiration, a reminder that dreams were worth pursuing and that success could coexist with compassion as well as humility. For others, it represented the best traditions of Indian entrepreneurship and an unwavering commitment to the values ​​of integrity, excellence and service. Under his leadership, the Tata Group has risen to new heights, representing respect, integrity and reliability around the world. Yet he downplayed his achievements with humility and kindness.

Shri Ratan Tata’s unwavering support for the dreams of others was one of his defining characteristics. In recent years, he has been known for mentoring India’s StartUp ecosystem and investing in many promising startups. He understood the hopes and aspirations of young entrepreneurs and realized their potential to shape India’s future. By supporting their efforts, he empowered a generation of dreamers to take bold risks and push boundaries. This has gone a long way in creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and I am confident that this will continue to positively impact India for decades to come.

He consistently advocated excellence and encouraged Indian businesses to set global benchmarks. I hope this vision will inspire our future leaders to make India synonymous with world-class quality.

His greatness wasn’t limited to the boardroom or helping people. His compassion extended to all living things. He was known for his deep love for animals and supported every possible effort focused on animal welfare. He often shared photos of his dogs, which were as much a part of his life as any business venture. His life reminded us all that true leadership is measured not only by one’s achievements but also by one’s ability to care for the most vulnerable.

For millions of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. It was a call to the nation to quickly reopen the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks; India stands united, refusing to give in to terrorism.

Personally, I had the privilege of knowing him very well over the years. We worked closely in Gujarat, where he invested heavily, including many projects he was passionate about. Just a few weeks ago I was in Vadodara with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez, and we jointly inaugurated an aircraft complex in India where the C-295 aircraft will be produced. The person who started working on this was Shri Ratan Tata. It goes without saying that Shri Ratan Tata’s presence is greatly missed.

I remember Shri Ratan Tata Ji as a man of letters; He would often write to me on a variety of topics, such as governance-related issues, expressing appreciation for government support, or sending congratulatory wishes after election victories.

Our close interactions continued when I moved to the Center, and he remained a committed partner in our nation-building efforts. Shri Ratan Tata’s support for the Swachh Bharat Mission was especially close to my heart. He was a vocal advocate of this mass movement, understanding that cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation were vital for India’s progress. I still remember his heartfelt video message for the tenth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission in early October. This was among his last public appearances.

Another issue that bothered him was health and especially the fight against cancer. I remember the program in Assam two years ago where we jointly inaugurated various cancer hospitals in the state. In his statements at the time, he made it clear that he wanted to devote his last years to health care. His efforts to make health and cancer care accessible and affordable were based on a deep empathy for those struggling with disease and the belief that a just society sides with the most vulnerable.

As we remember him today, we are reminded of the society he dreamed of; Where business can serve as a force for good, where the potential of each individual is valued and progress is measured by the well-being and happiness of all. He is still alive in the lives he touched and the dreams he nurtured. Generations will be grateful to him for making India a better, kinder and more hopeful place.