Even As Nation Mourns Its Ratan, Paytm CEO’s Tribute Controversial

October 11, 2024: The passing of Ratan Tata, esteemed industrialist and philanthropist, at the age of 86 has deeply saddened the nation. Tata, who passed away on Wednesday, left behind a lasting legacy that touched many across industries. Tech leaders and business figures alike turned to social media to pay their respects to the iconic figure.

Notable tributes poured in from the tech world, with Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, People Group CEO Anupam Mittal, former Xiaomi CEO Manu Kumar Jain, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, and former BharatPe CEO Ashneer Grover sharing heartfelt messages honoring Tata’s contributions to India’s business landscape.

Also Read: When Ratan Tata Opened Up About Why He Never Married: ‘I Came Close But It Didn’t Work Out’

Also Read: Ratan Tata: The Visionary Leader Who Transformed Tata Group and Touched Millions

However, one tribute in particular—shared by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and CEO of Paytm—drew backlash on social media. Sharma’s tribute, posted on X (formerly Twitter), quickly garnered negative attention due to its concluding line. Though he has since deleted the post, screenshots of the message have continued to circulate, sparking discussions online.

Sharma’s post read: “A legend who will inspire every generation. Entrepreneurs of the next generation will miss interacting with the most humble businessman of India. Salutes, Sir. Ok Tata Bye Bye.”

It was the final line—“Ok Tata Bye Bye”—that ignited a wave of criticism. Many felt the remark was disrespectful and poorly phrased, with users commenting that it trivialized the solemn occasion. One user commented, “It must have been written by an intern,” while another added, “This is inappropriate.” Despite the backlash, Sharma’s post continued to be widely shared and discussed, even after its removal.

Meanwhile, Ratan Tata’s final rites were held in Mumbai, where he was laid to rest with full state honors. Home Minister Amit Shah represented Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in Laos. In his own tribute the night before, Modi referred to Tata as “an extraordinary human being.” Tata's passing marks the end of an era, and his legacy as a visionary leader and compassionate philanthropist will continue to inspire generations to come.