Mahindra Group Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Keshub Mahindra, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on April 14, 2023. The nonagenarian was a well-known philanthropist who redefined good corporate governance in India. He was an exemplary statesman and an irreplaceable figure in Indian industry, revered for his vision, his business acumen, his leadership by example, and above all, for his uncompromising professional integrity.

Early Life and Career

Born on October 9, 1923, in Shimla, Mr. Keshub Mahindra was an alumnus of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, USA. He joined Mahindra & Mahindra in 1947 and took on the role of Chairman in 1963. Under his stewardship, the company was transformed from its beginnings as a steel trading company to a diversified federation of companies.

Significant Contributions to the Industry

Mr. Keshub Mahindra contributed significantly to the industry and was appointed by the Government of India to serve on many Committees including the Sachar Commission on Company Law & MRTP and the Central Advisory Council of Industries. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Mahindra was a Member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry, New Delhi. He was also a member of the Apex Advisory Council of ASSOCHAM and was serving as the President Emeritus of the Employers’ Federation of India.

Mr. Keshub Mahindra was an Honorary Fellow of the All India Management Association, New Delhi and a member of the Council of the United World Colleges (International) in the United Kingdom. In 1987, he was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Legion d’honneur by the French Government.

Mr. Keshub Mahindra has also served on several Boards and Councils in both the private and public domain, including SAIL, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels, IFC, and ICICI. He was also the Founder Chairman of HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited); Vice-Chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd; Chairman Mahindra Ugine Steel Co. Ltd; Director of Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited.

Remembering Mr. Keshub Mahindra

Speaking about Mr. Keshub Mahindra, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, “Mr. Keshub Mahindra was and will always remain a source of inspiration for me and the entire Mahindra Group. He was a man of principles and led from the front to preserve the legacy of our founders, which has ensured that the organization has remained rooted in ethics, values, and good corporate governance.”

“Mr. Keshub Mahindra was known for his astute business acumen that helped in transforming Mahindra into a diversified federation of companies. His compassion and people-centric approach made him a global business icon, who was much loved and respected,” he added.

A Life Well-Lived

Mr. Keshub Mahindra’s life and legacy serve as a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and strong values. He was an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In conclusion, Mr. Keshub Mahindra was an extraordinary individual who made a significant impact on the business world and society as a whole. His contributions to Indian industry and corporate governance are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. As the Chairman Emeritus of Mahindra Group, he was a beacon of leadership, professionalism, and integrity, and his loss will be felt deeply by the entire Mahindra family and the industry as a whole.

Mr. Keshub Mahindra’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on through the many organizations he was a part of, the people whose lives he touched, and the values he instilled in the companies he led. His life was a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and commitment to excellence, and his passing is a great loss to the Indian business community.

In these trying times, it is important to remember the impact that Mr. Keshub Mahindra had on the industry and society and to honor his memory by upholding the values that he stood for. As we mourn his passing, we can take solace in the fact that he lived a life well-lived and made a positive impact on the world around him.

May his soul rest in peace.