Cambridge: Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, today received the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award at a ceremony held at HBS’s Cambridge campus.

Alumni Achievement Awards are given to alumni who have throughout their careers contributed to their companies and communities while upholding the highest standards and values in everything they do. Recipients are role models who inspire all those who aspire to have an impact on both business and society.

Since 1968, with the help of suggestions from alumni, students, faculty and friends, the School has selected a number of outstanding men and women to receive its most important honour, the Alumni Achievement Award.

The other recipients for this year’s award include Jeff Immelt of General Electric, James Wolfensohn of the World Bank, Meg Whitman of E-bay and John Doerr of Google.

The Award ceremony was held at the start of a Global Business Summit which is a significant event in HBS’s centennial year celebrations. The summit has an attendance of over 2000 attendees.

Mr. Anand Mahindra graduated from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Magna cum Laude (High Honours). In 1981 he secured an MBA degree from the Harvard Business School.

WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS ON THE HBS WEBSITE:

http://www.hbs.edu/centennial/businesssummit/charlie-rose.html#begin

1. Opening Ceremonies
2. Leadership for the 21st Century - A roundtable discussion with Charlie Rose

AN EXCERPT OF AN INTERVIEW OF MR. ANAND MAHINDRA ON THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL BULLETIN WEBSITE

http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/2008/september/awards.html

Dubbed a Renaissance man by the Harvard Business Review, Anand Mahindra is vice chairman and managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a Mumbai-based 'confederation' of almost 100 companies with revenues of $6.6 billion and 60,000 employees. A film major at Harvard College, Mahindra has won rave reviews for his efforts to restructure and diversify the giant family firm and turn it into a global enterprise.

How do you see the role of business now and in the future?

Consumers are demanding a new template for corporations. They are not satisfied with glossy reports on sustainability and corporate philanthropy; they want CEOs and business leaders who will walk the talk on environmental harmony and social responsibility.

What do you think about the future relationship between India and China?

There is a grudging acknowledgment on both sides that we stand to lose far too much if we are goaded into an adversarial relationship. Combining our strengths will be profitable, both politically and economically.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve had to do in your job?

When I first joined M&M Ltd., I had to dismiss some very senior executives who had clearly been violating the ethical values of the group. It was the most agonizing and stressful period in my career thus far.

What are your thoughts on the future of global business?

The current global slowdown will change the nature of business in lasting ways. First, we’ll be driven to create technologies and operations that are resistant to spikes in fossil fuel prices. Second, despite an initial flurry of protectionism and inward-looking politics, it will become clear that the best way to lessen the severity of worldwide recessions is to increase the volume of interdependent trade among nations.

Which of M&M’s products are you most proud of?

Our design of the Scorpio hybrid, India’s first indigenous hybrid vehicle. We hope to have it available in U.S. showrooms before long!

What keeps you up at night?

Oil at well over $100 per gallon and customers who don’t believe we’ve delivered on our product or service promises.

How do you find time for your family?

My wife, Anuradha, is uncompromising when it comes to my giving priority to family and friends. Thanks to her coaching, I’ve learned how to switch off my 'crackberry' and how to say no to requests for meetings.

How do you relax?

Not surprisingly, I enjoy movies, and I use the wondrous invention of home DVD to catch up on world cinema. I collect antique maps of India from the days of the British Raj and am also finding time to indulge in still photography and play the occasional game of tennis.

What’s your favourite place to vacation or visit?

A coffee plantation in the southern Indian district of Coorg, which was established by my parents in the sixties and is now run by my sister.

About The Mahindra Group

The US $6 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector has recently won the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan.

The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including the financial services, trade and logistics, automotive components, information technology, and infrastructure development.