Mumbai: Mr. Arun Nanda, Executive Director, Mahindra & Mahindra was conferred the French government honour, the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur) by the visiting French Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Mrs Anne-Marie Idrac yesterday.

In an apt recognition of the Mahindra Group’s contribution to India’s business and cultural ties with France, the French Ambassador to India, Mr. Jérôme BONNAFONT said in a letter to Mr. Nanda informing him of the award, 'I warmly congratulate you for this distinction, which is a recognition of your remarkable career in the business community in Mumbai and of the part you took in the establishment of the partnership between Mahindra and Renault. But above all, it is your performance as President of the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the efficiency which you have restored in this association, that the French President wishes to pay tribute by conferring this distinction to you.'

The 'Légion d'Honneur' (Legion of Honour) is the highest distinction that can be conferred by the French Republic on a French citizen as well as on a foreigner. The Order of the Legion of Honour was instituted in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.

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.

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. The US based Reputation Institute recently ranked Mahindra among the top 10 Indian companies in its Global 200: The World's Best Corporate Reputation list.