Anand Mahindra- The Man of Riches to Benefit Society
Industrialist Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group – the most talked about billionaires in India conveys his determination to bring in a change in the country – to transform India and turn ‘survival’ to ‘strength’. Indeed, he looks forward for sleepless nights to do wonders again and serve the Nation.
A Mumbai-based business conglomerate, he is the third-generation scion of the Mahindra clan. The group’s operations span 20 industries including – aerospace, agribusiness, aftermarket, automotive, components, construction equipment, defence, energy, farm equipment, finance and insurance, industrial equipment, information technology, leisure and hospitality, logistics, real estate and retail.
Born on May 1,1955 in Mumbai to Harish and Indira Mahindra, Anand has been a true disciple of his father. Anand’s father, a well-known industrialist, always emphasized the importance of using businesses to benefit society. Over the years, this principle has guided Anand’s decisions and shaped the transformation of the Mahindra Group into one of the most admired Indian companies in the world. He earned a degree in MBA from Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts in 1981. Prior to earning his MBA, Anand was a film major at Harvard University. In 1981, he returned to India and joined the Mahindra Ugine Steel Company as Executive assistant. Gradually in 1989, he paved his way to the post of the President and Deputy Managing Director, and diversified the company into new business areas of real estate development and hospitality. His efforts paid off, when he was appointed the post of Deputy Managing director of M&M in 1991 and Managing Director in 1997. In 2003 he took on the additional responsibility of Vice Chairman. Anand began his journey with the Mahindra Group as an executive assistant to the Finance Director of Mahindra Ugine Steel Company after receiving his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1981. In April 1997, Anand was appointed MD of M&M Ltd. Under his leadership, Mahindra saw the successful acquisition of Ssangyong Motors, Reva Electric Car Company, Satyam Computer Services and several others. In August 2012, Anand was appointed Chairman of the Mahindra Group- A Mumbai based company, operating in 100+ nations, which has its headquarters located at Mumbai with the name of Mahindra Tower.
Mr. Mahindra is married to Anuradha, who is the woman behind the magazine Verve. She is currently working at the position of editor for 2 magazines, Verve and Man’s World namely. She was earlier working as a journalist before her marriage.
The billionaire is known for his brave decisions in the corporate world. Whether it be launching of India’s most loved SUV (Scorpio) or India’s best Off-Roader – Mahindra Thar and various other decisions made in other sectors. Founded as a steel trading company in 1945, the Group today is a global federation of companies united by a common purpose – to enable people to ‘Rise’. Under his able guidance and leadership, the Mahindra group set international benchmarks for success and became an efficient and aggressive competitor in the new liberalized economy. A rapid growth was witnessed in terms of acquisitions, as well as Greenfield business development with several high-profile brands, including: Satyam Computer Services (2009); Reva Electric Motors (2010); Ssangyong Motor Company (2010) and Scorpio (2002).
Generally, Mahindra is known for manufacturing Indian cars and dominating the SUV segment, they are also popular for their work in IT space.
Some other areas where Mahindra group operates are-
Aerospace
Automotive components
Defense
Construction equipment
Farm equipment
Finance
Energy
Leisure and hospitality
Real estate and retail etc.
The billionaire just does not want to be indulged in their luxurious lifestyle but also puts every effort to contribute to the society and for doing the same more effectively, he actively takes part in many social activities as well.
In 1996, Anand founded Project Nanhi Kali, an NGO to provide financial and academic support to underprivileged girls across India. Anand has also contributed to the advancement of the humanities. In November 2010, he donated $10million to support the Harvard Humanities Center in honour of his mother.
Industrialists Anand Mahindra led the pep squad for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Rs 20 lakh crore support package announced on Tuesday to help the Indian economy mitigate the damage caused by the coronavirus crisis and the nationwide lockdown.
Anand Mahindra also helps to increase the efficiency of farmers by providing them with knowledge of things like natural resource management.
In real life Mahindra is an active participant in co-curricular activities. A tennis buff he has developed an interest for sailing too. He enjoys world cinema, reading and listening to the Blues. In 2011 he helped to set up an annual Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai.
A very calm and sorted person, industrialist Anand very well knows what is to be done and how it is to be done. This has awarded him with various awards, trophies, and recognition.
Some of them are –
Rajiv Gandhi award in 2004.
Economic Times award for the year 2008-09.
The most Inspiring corporate leader of the year 2007 by NDTV Profit.
Knight of the Order of Merit
CNBC awarded him the Asia Business Leader Award for the year 2006.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009 etc.
Mr. Anand Mahindra believes in thinking big. He always says that thinking big is the first foundation for any aspiring entrepreneur or businessman for building a business empire. Mr. Anand Mahindra also believes very firmly in working hard. He believes that no matter how good your idea or concept is, or how much funding you have if you are not willing to work hard you will not succeed.
Mr. Mahindra knows that irrespective of the size of business, every entrepreneur and management officials have to face tough times and would have to make hard decisions, this can only be done effectively if they have the courage and willingness to work hard. He believes in the concept of constant working until and unless the results have not been achieved.
Mr. Anand Mahindra also thinks that not only in professional life but in personal life also this principle can be applied and positive changes like better decision-making skills and increase in overall productivity of an individual can be seen.
He states,
“Focus on Localised Resources”
By this statement, Mr. Anand Mahindra very well realizes the fact that Indians have the potential to practically do anything and can get India at the top, and make it a superpower. And, here is what he had to say on Prime Minister’s plead to the Nation to be ‘vocal on local’.
“This was the PM’s Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) speech; an opportunity to change the narrative from ‘Survival’ to ‘Strength.’ We will know tomorrow whether or not this is going to be a transformational moment like 1991. What I also believe is I won’t get much sleep tonight!”
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 12, 2020
He had decided to offer his 100% salary to his employees to deal with the rising menace of corona virus. has directed his group to immediately after the covid crisis to begin work on manufacturing of ventilators at its own factories.
There is indeed no end to his services and no end to his innovations. He is a living legend and an exemplary figure to all the aspiring business personalities.
Begin up expresses high gratitude to know him and his successful life story.
We wish him all the very best for his future endeavours!
