Dear Colleagues,

It is with immense grief and sadness that I have to inform you that our Chairman Emeritus, Mr Keshub Mahindra, passed away this morning at 7 a.m. He was 99 years old, and missed his 100th birthday by just a few months.

Mr Keshub Mahindra 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. He was an unconditional father figure to me and many who had the privilege of knowing him.

To us in the Mahindra Group family, he was all these things and much more. We will remember him eternally for his many qualities of head and heart - his wisdom, his adherence to human values and above all, his kindness of heart. His personal connect with people in the organisation was extraordinary, and he was never too busy to reach out to a colleague in distress. Throughout his illustrious life, he received many accolades but never lost the human touch. All of us are grieving today, not just for the loss of our Chairman Emeritus but for the loss of a wonderful human being and a truly unique soul. We shall not see his like again.

His passing is an irreparable loss to his family, to our Group, to Indian industry and to me, personally. On behalf of us all, I extend our deepest condolences to my Aunt, Mrs Sudha Mahindra and to my cousins and pray that his soul may rest in peace.

According to our family's wishes, the funeral will be private. A separate condolence and prayer meeting to enable Mahindra colleagues to pay their respects will be announced in the very near future.

Our offices and locations will remain open because that is what Mr Keshub Mahindra would have wanted. However, if all establishments would like to observe 2 minutes of silence as a tribute to him, that would be greatly appreciated and valued.

Anand