New Delhi, Jan 16, 2014: Mr. Arun Nanda, Chairman, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd., India's leading vacation ownership company, was conferred with the Aatithya Ratna Award at the close of a two-day conference arranged by the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) in Gurgaon on January 15, 2014.

The Award was established by the Business Hotels Network (BHN) and HIFI conference co-host, Horwath HTL, and was established to honour an individual who exemplifies the true spirit of hospitality and who contributes to the success of the industry. In short, a 'Gem of Hospitality'.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nanda said, "I am honoured to receive this prestigious award which brings with it a tremendous sense of responsibility to continuously raise the bar. It also resonates with the philosophies of 'Vasudaiva kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and 'atithee devo bhava' (the guest is akin to God) which are the foundations of any good hospitality venture."

Mr. Nanda joined the Mahindra Group in 1973. The Founder, and Chairman of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India (MHRIL), he has contributed more than 40 years to Mahindra in a series of key positions in Compliance, Corporate Governance, Investments, Strategic Planning, Corporate Communications and identifying new business opportunities. His entrepreneurial instinct and strategic insights have guided MHRIL's success as India's leading vacation experience provider. 

He also serves as Chairman of Mahindra Lifespace Developers, , Mahindra Consulting Engineers, and Mahindra World City Developers, and Director of Mahindra & Mahindra, Mahindra Water Utilities, Mahindra World City (Jaipur) and  Mumbai Mantra Media.

Mr. Nanda was also Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Western Region and is currently Chairman of the National Commission on Water, is Chairman Emeritus of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce, member of the governing Boards of the council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India and Bombay First. He is also Member of South Asia Board of Trinity College Dublin .

His outstanding career achievements have been recognized with several awards, including Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur from President Sarkozy of the French Republic, Real Estate Person of the Year from GIREM Leadership Awards (Triple Tree) in India, Business Achiever Award-Corporate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 2009, and the 2010 Golden Star Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the Hospitality Industry and the Service Sector. 

Mr.Nanda has been instrumental in guiding Club Mahindra team over the years. It is his vision that has seen Club Mahindra grow to 40 resorts across India and overseas, Club Mahindra has created a wide footprint not limited to the borders of India. The company's resorts in Dubai, Bangkok, Kaula Lumpur and Innsbruck (Austria) are an endeavour to accommodate the evolving aspirations of the ever growing member base.

The experiences inside the resorts are created to bring families together, sometimes spanning three generations. It is these experiences combined with the unique geographies where the resorts are located that has helped Club Mahindra redefine the way Indian families holiday.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. (MHRIL), a leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand, the other brands offered by the Company are - Club Mahindra Fundays and Club Mahindra Travel.

Club Mahindra has 40 resorts in India and abroad. In India, the resorts are located in Pudhucherry, Masinagudi, Kodaikanal (2 resorts), Ooty (2 resorts), Ashtamudi, Binsar (2 resorts), Madikeri (Coorg), Virajpet (Coorg), Corbett, Dharamshala, Gangtok, Gir, Goa (2 resorts), Kumbhalgarh, Munnar, Naukuchiatal, Nawalgarh, Shimla, Udaipur, Manali, Thekkady, Yercaud, Mussourie, Kanatal, Kumarakom, Baiguney, Kandhaghat, Mahabaleshwar, Jaisalmer, Cherai, Poovar and Tungi (Lonavala). International resorts are in Dubai, Bangkok,, Kaula Lumpur and Austria.

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency. A USD 16.7 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 180,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in  tractors,  utility vehicles,  information technologyand vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy,  financial services, industrial equipment, logistics,  real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehiclesand  two wheelerindustries.

In 2012, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. In 2013, the Mahindra Group received the Financial Times 'Boldness in Business' Award in the 'Emerging Markets' category.

Visit us at www.mahindra.com

For further enquiries

Roma Balwani      

Chief Group Communications Officer

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.        

Phone: +91 22 2490 1441          

Email:  balwani.roma@mahindra.com

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