Keshub Mahindra

Keshub Mahindra
Born	Keshub Mahindra (1923-10-09) October 9, 1923
Residence	Mumbai, India
Citizenship	India
Education	Bachelor of Science
Alma mater	Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, USA, 1978
Occupation	Former Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
Years active	1947-2012
Organization	Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
Known for	Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Salary	$5,300,000[1]
Net worth	$615 Million (Forbes Oct 2011)
Religion	Hindu
Children	Three
Website
www.mahindrawarroom.com www.mahindra.com

Keshub Mahindra is the former Chairman of the Mahindra Group, including Mahindra & Mahindra Limited. As per Forbes Mar 2011 rankings, Keshub Mahindra has networth of $615 Million and is ranked #82nd richest person in India.^[2] Keshub Mahindra is uncle of Anand Mahindra.^[3] He handed charge to nephew Anand Mahindra 14 years ago in 1997. Keshub Mahindra retired on 9 August 2012 after heading the group for 45 years, handing over the baton to his nephew and Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Anand Mahindra.^[4]

Early life

Keshub Mahindra is a graduate from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, USA. He joined Mahindra & Mahindra Limited in 1947 and in 1963 he took over as Chairman. He is also a philanthropist.

Keshub Mahindra has also been appointed by the Government of India to serve on various committees, including the Sachar Commission on Company Law & MRTP, Central Advisory Council of Industries etc.^[5]

Membership of organizations & committees

1. Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry
2. Employers’ Federation of India (President Emeritus)
3. Chairman of Centre for Research in Rural & Industrial Development Society
4. President of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (1966–67)
5. President of the Indo-American Society (1991–92)
6. Chairman, India Nominating Committee “Single Nation Programme” – Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, USA (1998–2005).^[6]

Philanthropy

1. Chairman: Mahindra Foundation.
2. Vice President: National Society for Clean Cities.
3. Director: Pratham (Indian education initiative, 2003–08).^[7]

Awards

1. Businessman of the year, India (1989) by Business India.
2. Rotary award for Vocational Excellence (1992).
3. Lifetime Achievement Award (2007) by Ernst & Young.^[8]

Controversy

Keshub Mahindra was amongst the convicted in the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He had served as the non-executive chairman of Union Carbide India Limited at the time the incident took place in 1984 in which 3,787 people died in Bhopal (as per Govt of Madhya Pradesh). The Indian media which is very critical of Warren Anderson, former chairman and chief executive officer of Union Carbide, is surprisingly shy and silent on the role played by Mr.Mahindra and his lack of corporate responsibilities towards the biggest industrial disaster in modern India.

In June 2010, seven former employees of the Union Carbide subsidiary, all Indian nationals and many in their 70s, were convicted of causing death by negligence and each sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined Rs.1 lakh ($2,124). All were released on bail shortly after the verdict.

References