Former Mahindra Group chairman and industrialist Keshub Mahindra dies at 99 on April 12. The news was confirmed by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe) chairman Pawan Goenka through his personal Twitter handle. Keshub Mahindra was the uncle of Anand Mahindra, who is the current Chairperson of the Mahindra and Mahindra group. He served as chairman of the conglomerate from 1963 to 2012. And, in 2012 he retired as the chairman of the group.Pawan Goenka tweeted, “The industrial world has lost one of the tallest personalities today. Shri Keshub Mahindra had no match the nicest person I had the privilege of knowing. I always looked forward to meetings with him and was inspired by how he connected business, economic and social matters. Om Shanti.”The industrial world has lost one of the tallest personalities today. Shri Keshub Mahindra had no match the nicest person I had the privilege of knowing. I always looked forward to mtgs with him and inspired by how he connected business, economics and social matters. Om Shanti.— Pawan K Goenka (@GoenkaPk) April 12, 2023Apart from serving in the Mahindra Group, a well-known philanthropist and businessman, Keshub Mahindra has served on the boards of several organisations, including SAIL, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels, and ICICI. He was also vice chairman of the Housing Development Finance Corporation.Mahindra was also the founder chairman of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO). He also served in Ugine Steel, as Director of Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing, and Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited.Mahindra has been tasked with changing Mahindra & Mahindra from a vehicle assembler into a front-running automotive business with a dominant market share in Indias expanding utility vehicle sector and a leadership position in tractor manufacture. The group also includes holdings in hotels, real estate, and software services.As the news of Keshub Mahindra passing away went viral, the social media handle got flooded with condolences.Gautam Singhania, chairman and managing director of Raymond and former Infosys board member Mohandas Pai paid last tributes to the industrialist.Taking on Twitter, Singhania wrote, “Keshubji lived a glorious life guiding the growth of the Mahindra group for nearly five decades. With his endearing personality, he could navigate many challenging situations. My deepest condolences to the family, employees, and well-wishers of Mahindra Group. RIP Keshub Mahindra.”Keshubhji lived a glorious life guiding the growth of Mahindra group for nearly five decades. With his endearing personality, he could navigate many a challenging situation. My deepest condolences to the family, employees and well wishers of Mahindra Group. RIP Keshub Mahindra— Gautam Singhania (@SinghaniaGautam) April 12, 2023Pai remembered Keshub Mahindra as someone who led by example and always put India first. He tweeted, “A great Indian passes away! Om Shanthi. Our prayers are with Anand Mahindra and family! He was an extraordinary warm compassionate person! Who led by example, put India first always!”Keshub Mahindra joined the Mahindra Group in 1947 after completing his graduation from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania. In 1963, he went on to become the chairman of the Mahindra Group. Making the iconic Willys Jeeps was the primary business of the Mahindra Group at the time. Then, handing over the business to his nephew Anand Mahindra in 2012, he retired from the Mahindra Group.Keshub Mahindra has also been assigned to a number of government bodies, including the Central Advisory Council of Industry and the Sachar Committee on Business Law and Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Laws. In 1987, the French government honoured him with the Chevalier de lOrdre National de la Legion dhonneur. From 2004 until 2010, he served as a member of the Prime Ministers Council on Trade and Industry. He served as a member of the Prime Ministers Council on Commerce & Industry in New Delhi from 2004 to 2010.Mahindra was the President Emeritus of the Employers Federation of India and a member of the Apex Advisory Council of ASSOCHAM. He is a member of the Council of the United World Colleges (International) in the United Kingdom and an Honorary Fellow of the All-India Management Association in New Delhi.Keshub Mahindras contributions to business and the economy will last forever.
