Anand Gopal Mahindra, the Indian billionaire businessman recently became a youth icon when he started posting his opinions on various matters on social media. He is the chairman of the Mumbai-based conglomerate, Mahindra Group. With over 9 million followers on Twitter, this Mahindra scion has showcased a very generous and thoughtful side of his personality via his regular tweets. Although we often look forward to his messages, few know much about his early life, education, and career. Here is a sneak peek into the life of this accomplished entrepreneur and inspiring personality.
Early Life and Education
As per Wikipedia, Anand Mahindra was born on 1st May 1955 in Bombay, India to parents Harish and Indira Mahindra. Radhika Nath and Anuja Sharma are his sisters. He is the Mahindra family’s third generational heir.
He finished his early education at Lawrence School in Lovedale. He then continued on to Harvard University to study architecture and filmmaking, where he eventually earned a degree with honors in 1977. Later, in 1981, he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Career
Under Anand Mahindra’s direction, the Mahindra Group currently generates $19.4 billion in revenue. The operations of the conglomerate cover 22 distinct industries, including everything from vehicles to the housing market to information technology.
However, he first joined Mahindra Ugine Steel Company Ltd (MUSCO) in 1981 as an executive assistant to the finance director. In 1989, he was named the firm’s president and deputy managing director. From that point on, he started expanding the conglomerate’s operations into new industries like property investment and hospitality.
He was appointed as Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s deputy managing director in 1991. This company produces tractors and off-road vehicles in India. He assumed the role of Managing Director of the same company in 1997, and in 2001 he was appointed Vice Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra.
He replaced his uncle Keshub Mahindra as managing director and chairman of the board of the Mahindra Group in 2012. He was then re-appointed as the company’s Executive Chairman in 2016 and kept his position as the conglomerate’s Chairman.
Anand Mahindra also happens to be the co-promoter of the Kotak Mahindra Bank, but in 2013, he gave up his position as the promoter of the bank and stayed on as a non-executive director.
Personal Life
Anand Mahindra married journalist Anuradha on a personal level. Together, they started the publication Verve. Verve magazine’s current editor is Anuradha Mahindra. She serves as Man’s World’s chief editor as well. Divya and Aalika, their two daughters, were born.
He exhibits a strong interest in filmmaking as a hobby, as well as his undergraduate major during his time at Harvard. The Mahindra Blues Festival was founded by him, and it has been held yearly in Mumbai since 2011. His preferred musical style, the Blues, is being honoured at the festival.
Anand Mahindra promotes arts and culture as well. He has set up the Mahindra Excellence in Theater Awards, an awards platform and also the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival that is held annually in Lucknow.
Other Business Interests
Anand Mahindra has an interesting career beyond Mahindra & Mahindra as well:
- In 2011, he was invited to join the International Advisory Council of Singapore’s Economic Development Board.
- In 2014, he joined the board of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) to help promote the policy advocacy priorities and as an advisor to the staff.
- He also holds the position of the Chairman of the Indian Advisory Council at the Lincoln Center, New York.
- He is also the trustee of the Natural History Museum of London.
- Anand Mahindra is the chairman of the Governing Council National Institute of Design, India Design Council where he advocates using ‘design for human happiness.’
- In 2014, Anand Mahindra launched the Pro Kabaddi League in India with the intention of promoting Indian sports.
- Together with Mahesh Samat and Mukesh Ambani, he co-founded the Indian television network EPIC.
- He is the president of the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), an organization that works towards developing safe and less polluting vehicles.
Anand Mahindra, one of the top 10 richest men in India wears many hats and has diversified his business interests along a wide range of verticals.
Awards and Accolades
This man who makes India proud has won many awards and accolades in his life so far:
- He is known as the face of Indian capitalism by The Economist.
- Forbes India Magazine recognized him as their ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2013.
- He was featured in Fortune Magazine’s list of ‘The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders’ in 2014.
- Anand Mahindra was also featured in Fortune Magazine’s list of ‘The Top 25 Most Powerful Business People in Asia’ in 2011.
- He contributed to the renowned book “Reimagining India,” which was written by Mckinsey & Company.
- In 2003, he bagged the title of the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Interesting Tidbits from his Life
- He donated a whopping $10 million to the Harvard Humanities Center, which was later renamed as the Mahindra Humanities Center. It was the largest donation ever made by an individual overseas.
- Anand Mahindra co-founded the Harvard Business School Association in India committed to promoting management studies in India.
- He loves reading, sailing and playing tennis. He is also a passionate photographer.
- He started the Nanhi Kali project in 1996, which provides primary education to disadvantaged girls in India. The project has supported more than 130,000 underprivileged girls from across the nation so far.
The list does not end here. This inspiring entrepreneur has many jewels to his crown. There are many famous people with rags-to-riches stories, but he was born with a silver spoon. He is an example of a humble, down-to-earth rich Indian who made the best use of the amenities gifted to him by life and ensured that he gave back to his country all that the country bestowed upon him. There are few like him in India today and his life journey is quite intriguing.
