City leaders at Nani’s final journey

Amidst the chanting of ancient Zoroastrian prayers, friends and family bid adieu to India’s legal luminary — Nani Palkhivala. The ...

Amidst the chanting of ancient Zoroastrian prayers, friends and family bid adieu to India’s legal luminary — Nani Palkhivala. The 82-year-old passed away on Wednesday evening.

‘‘He will be missed,’’ said Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, who was amongst the congregation of mourners. ‘‘I knew him well. He was an eminent lawyer and did a lot for India. He was a foward-looking man and one of great integrity. We have lost one of India’s greatest sons,’’ said Adi Godrej, chairman, Godrej Group.

‘‘A democrat par excellence, an upholder of fundamental human rights, a great crusader and above all a great friend — he will be missed,’’ former Mumbai sheriff Bakul Patel said.

Others who were present were Palkhivala’s close friend and lawyer P.R. Vakil, Trent managing director Noel Tata, Trent chairperson Simone Tata, Tata Tea vice-chairman and Indian Hotels Company Ltd managing director R.K. Krishna Kumar, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) managing director S. Ramadorai and his wife, TCS executive vice-president Phiroz Vandrevala, Arvind Mafatlal and his family.

The prayer meet or the Uthamman ceremony, where the family will interact with well-wishers and hold prayers together, will be held on Friday. A concluding prayer service would be held on December 14 to mark the final day of mourning and departure of the soul from its earthly abode.