Anand Mahindra gets emotional as the IITian, the father of Scorpio model, buys a new Mahindra SUV, shares a 30-year-old story

Anand Mahindra recently shared his heartfelt reflections on Dr. Pawan Goenka’s journey, marking a moment of pride and nostalgia. Their association dates back to the early 1990s when Goenka made the bold decision to return to India, leaving a promising career at General Motors in the U.S. Mahindra convinced him to join Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) as the Deputy Head of R&D at the company’s Nashik facility. However, upon arrival, Goenka was taken aback by the rudimentary state of the R&D infrastructure, making him question his decision.

Despite initial doubts, he stayed on and took charge of research and development, playing a pivotal role in the creation of the iconic Mahindra Scorpio. His leadership not only shaped the company’s product lineup but also laid the foundation for a world-class R&D center that continues to drive innovation in the Indian automotive industry. Over the years, Goenka’s contributions propelled him to the position of Managing Director & CEO of M&M Ltd., a role in which he guided the company’s expansion and technological advancements.


Mahindra’s emotions were stirred when he saw Goenka and his wife, Mamta, purchasing one of Mahindra’s latest electric SUVs, XEV 9e. To him, this moment symbolized more than just a transaction—it was a testament to Goenka’s enduring impact on the company and the industry. Having played a key role in transforming Mahindra’s automotive landscape, Goenka now finds himself embracing the very innovations he helped pioneer. For Mahindra, witnessing Goenka’s journey come full circle—transitioning from leading product development to embracing the company’s latest innovations—was a profoundly moving experience.


Pawan Goenka in a post on social media platform X expressed his pride in owning the Mahindra XUV 9e, calling it a feature-rich and technologically advanced masterpiece. Reflecting on its journey from Nashik R&D to MRV, he credited Anand Mahindra for his unwavering support and praised the Mahindra team for delivering a vehicle that represents the future.

Mahindra's post garnered a lot of praise from the netizens. One user, who owns six German cars, including Mercedes and Audi models, shared their excitement about recently purchasing a Thar, stating, "Been infatuated with her looks, been driving just her, I'm loving her absolutely… great job done, let's export Thar… it's a beauty."

Another user lauded the expertise behind Mahindra’s success, calling its creators "true artists" for identifying automotive gems. A third comment highlighted Pawan Goenka's instrumental role in Mahindra’s growth, recalling his bold decision to leave a dream career in the U.S. to join Mahindra's R&D team in India back in 1990. The user saluted his vision and contributions, emphasizing that "none dare to take such a massive decision in life."

Following his retirement in 2021, Goenka took on a new challenge as Chairman of In-Space, a Department of Space entity aimed at fostering private sector participation in India's space initiatives. His remarkable career and contributions to Indian industry were recently recognized with the prestigious Padma Shri award.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Dr. Pawan Goenka holds an impressive academic background. He earned his B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur and a Ph.D. from Cornell University, followed by the completion of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. His professional career spans over four decades, including 14 years at General Motors’ R&D Centre in Detroit and 28 years at Mahindra & Mahindra.

Currently, Goenka serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras and heads the Steering Committee for Advancing Local Value-Add and Exports (SCALE) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. His contributions continue to shape India's industrial and technological landscape, reinforcing his legacy as a visionary leader.