I just left the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai after a ceremony that turned into a poignant trip down memory lane.
The @NSEIndia CEO, my friend @ashishchauhan & his outstanding team marked our 30 years of listing with a symbolic bell-ringing, along with Mahindra leadership, followed by a spirited exchange (pun intended!) of mementos and a tour of their state-of-the-art IT operations.
What stayed with me most was a sense of reassurance. The Exchange is a constant target for cyberattacks, but its systems and disaster-recovery capabilities are world-leading. Even more reassuring is the mindset of the team, their quiet confidence and vigilance.
The nostalgia came for two reasons.
First, NSE’s inaugural office in 1993 was at Mahindra Towers in Worli, Mumbai, where I had just begun my own journey with the Group in 1991.
In a sense, we were fellow travellers from the very start.
Second, I had the privilege of serving on the NSE Board from 2002 to 2010. The learnings from that decade have stayed with me ever since.
And a point of quiet pride: among NIFTY50 companies listed back then, we’ve been the best-performing stock since 2002.
My thanks to Ashishkumar and his colleagues; not just for today’s honour, but for the memories that came with it.
Some milestones mark time. Others bring it vividly back.
Today did both.
We are delighted to announce Mahindras largest ever export order of 35000 Scorpio Pickups for Indonesia to be delivered through 2026 . These pickups will be made at our Nasik plant in Maharashtra.This is truly a make in India for the world moment and we would like to thank @CMOMaharashtra@Dev_Fadnavis for all the support and partnership. @MahindraRise@anishshah21
Details in the link https://t.co/qoshFa8CoY
The Mahindra Armado leading 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya path! Proudly designed, developed and manufactured Advance Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) for Indian Army by Mahindra. #RepublicDay#MakeInIndia @MahindraRise
Here is one more of Kochi’s best-kept secrets…
Before leaving our leadership conference earlier this month in Kochi, I hunted down JD’s Jukebox, a 6,000 strong collection of vintage vinyl record albums hidden in Sujit’s home.
No sign outside. Just pure passion.
Sujit built this sanctuary to honor his late mother’s love for music. Now, it’s a haven for vinyl lovers and local performers.
As someone who shares a passion for music from around the world, (although I have a significantly smaller collection of old vinyl albums!) browsing this eclectic treasure trove was immensely enjoyable.
Sujit keeps it low-key because he only wants the truly "obsessed" to find it.
Inspiring. Authentic.
A salute to those who pursue their passion, no matter how off-beat!
#MondayMotivation
Hate to break it for a lot of people but your batchmates will become judges, partners, opponents and lifelines. Treat them with dignity.
When everyone rises, you rise together.
I lived up to a promise I had made to myself…
After our Group’s M101 annual leadership conference in Kochi last week, on Friday I drove to Kadamakkudy to see if it truly deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful villages on earth.
Clean and pristine.
Tranquil kayals stretching as far as the eye can see, with small launches chugging gently along their waters.
Egrets and black cormorants, preening and drying themselves in the sun.
Mesmerising.
Some landscapes don’t just impress; they recalibrate you.
(And I drove my Thar responsibly and carefully…!)
#SundayWanderer
SIX! Yesterday a handpicked audience in Bengaluru were given a sneak preview of the 6th Cafe of @arakucoffeein@arakucoffee making the scores level - 3 in Paris and 3 in India. Bengaluru has now 2. This one in Commissariat Road on way to the Garuda Mall.
But the occasion was a landmark in Coffee history in India. We unveiled or rather unboxed the first of only 5 NANOLOT (just 84 packs) at a RECORD ₹10,000/- per KG - highest ever for ARABICA. Over USD 100 per KG is a statement that ARAKU Coffee curated by the tribal farmers and @naandi_india have reached a record that it deserved.
Life Trustee of Naandi Foundation and Director of ARAKU Coffee the renowned @kris_sg unboxed the first pack to be bought by coffee aficionado and Bangalore’s young Turk unicorn creator @ANarayanan24 and boy! Soon after we sold in an hour 72 more packs online.
Indian Coffee Consumers have raised the bar and saluted the hard work of the tribal farmers. Thank you🙏
Gratitude also to the special dignitaries who came to honour the 3 tribal farmers and cheer all of us for this amazing impact project - I call out my friend and supporter for years, Muriel Penicaud @murielpenicaud the former Labour Minister of France 🇫🇷 in President Emmanuel Macron Cabinet, Marc Lamy the Consul General of France 🇫🇷 in Bengaluru @BangaloreFrance (France is a special partner where we launched @arakucoffee as retail first in March 2017) and Hilary McGeachy @AusCGBengaluru to whose nation we export Araku Coffee.
It was a historic momentous event.
My eyes are swelling with gratitude 🙏 as I type these words.
I urge Bengaluru to keep giving us the love we got and visit the new cafe designed by our global brand architect Jorge Zapata from New York. The “Apple Cafe” of India is getting better with each store.
Continuing our #RiseToLead series, @rajunaveenk , General Counsel & EVP - Group Legal Services, shares his journey and values that shape his leadership.
"I’ve always been fascinated by stories, the way words can shape worlds. As a child, my ambitions shifted with every sunrise: one day I wanted to be a journalist, the next a hotelier, and by the weekend, a lawyer. My parents, an engineer and a teacher, encouraged this spirit of exploration. They believed in curiosity over convention, and that philosophy guided my path.
After sitting for almost every entrance exam imaginable, I finally discovered my true calling at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. Law appealed to my love of puzzles and narratives; every case was like a mystery waiting to be solved. More than textbooks, those years taught me independence, resilience, and the value of diverse perspectives, far from the tranquil hills of my hometown, Ooty.
When I began my career, corporate law wasn’t the dynamic arena it is today. Most law graduates preferred courtrooms or traditional firms. But over time, the legal function evolved from a support service to a strategic partner, influencing business decisions and shaping the organization’s future. That evolution deeply resonated with me.
Joining Mahindra more than a decade ago was a defining chapter. I still remember my first day, being greeted with flowers, a simple yet profound gesture that reflected the company’s warmth and culture. That sense of belonging has stayed with me ever since.
Over my 29-year journey, I’ve learned a few principles that continue to guide me:
1. Know the business you serve. Legal expertise is only half the equation; understanding what drives your organization is what truly adds value.
2. Embrace differences. Growth emerges from diverse opinions and perspectives. Resisting change only leads to stagnation.
3. Own your counsel. The advice we give carries weight, and we must take responsibility for its consequences, both good and bad.
Today, as technology reshapes the legal landscape through AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity, the possibilities are immense. The law is no longer confined to rules and regulations; it’s about innovation, foresight, and ethical stewardship. Legal professionals now sit at the heart of business strategy, not on the sidelines.
To the next generation of leaders, I offer this reflection:
We grew up in an era where reputations were built through word and deed, not social media posts. Today, every thought and opinion leave a digital footprint. What you share can travel farther than you ever imagine, sometimes circling back years later. So, be mindful, be thoughtful, and let your digital presence reflect your true values.
And above all, stay authentic. The world may change, but empathy and kindness never go out of style. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and every new voice brings a chance to grow. I look forward to continuing that journey, learning, unlearning, and leading with purpose."
It opened in March 2017. The first @arakucoffee in Paris in the iconic Marais. Today after 8 years, I was chuffed and filled with pride to see a queue line up even minutes before the closing of the cafe.
We have put Indian coffee the number #1 in the gastronomy capital of the world. Full credit to Clement Tezenas the ceo of Araku France and his stellar team.
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Our podcast, Friend of the Court returns with Season 3! This time, the show moves out of the courtroom to explore our constitutional culture and some figures who have influenced it in unique ways. Tune in now https://t.co/iFeBcHMyOT
Preeti Zachariah @the_hindu has harvested a beautiful piece on the future of Indian coffee. Glad I spilled the beans to her when we met in Bengaluru.
My favourite is the last paragraph. It sums up how @arakucoffeein transforms lives of farmers. https://t.co/lePBmXxIvb
India's Girl Shines at World Boxing Championship! 🇮🇳
Congratulations to #NituGhanghas for clinching the🥇in 48 Kg category and making India proud! 💪🏻
#2023IBA
It was a pleasure interacting with this cohort of dynamic and agile leaders, from across the Mahindra group. #FutureShapers, as we call them, will play a pivotal role in unlocking exponential potential and defining the future of @MahindraRise. #RiseToLead
Don’t blame me for being partial to the #ScorpioClassic How can I forget that historic day 2 decades ago when we took a huge risk and launched a car the likes of which we had never made before. And you all blessed us & loved it. I still love it. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
*Mahindra Scorpio-N sets a new record - Clocks over 25,000 bookings within 1 minute; Over 1,00,000 bookings in under 30 minutes*, translating into an ex-showroom value of ~₹18,000 crores / ~USD 2.3 billion ; Deliveries to commence on September 26 @MahindraRise
The @abtmotorsport Formula E team will use @MahindraRacing powertrains for its return next season, as the Indian manufacturer becomes a supplier for the first time in the championship.
Full story ⬇️
https://t.co/Bye1xnX2iR