Keshub Mahindra, Chairman Emeritus, Mahindra and Mahindra was recently interviewed by the Wharton Magazine, a publication from his alma mater. In this rare interview, the doyen of the Mahindra Group, spoke about his passion for philanthropy, his motivations and advice to future generations.

He said that renowned industrialist J.R.D. Tata and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh were his mentors. Passion and dedication for helping those less fortunate is the common thread that binds those individuals who have inspired him over the years.

Always known for focussing on the bigger picture, his advice for the younger generation is to dream about achieving the impossible and to exercise compassion. A firm believer in the statement of ‘money isn’t everything’, the Chairman Emeritus is renowned for his philanthropic efforts.

While working for the Government of India on a project to set up the first housing finance program, Mahindra visited some of the country’s biggest slums. He cites this as one of the biggest motivators that led him down the path of philanthropy. He questioned himself about how people could live in such deplorable conditions. And from then on, he has always believed in providing people with opportunities to grow.

Mahindra’s belief is that happiness lies in the attitude of the mind and that one should always take joy in the happiness of others.