Despite Requests Anand Mahindra Will Not Gift A 'Thar' To Chess Star Praggnanandhaa: Here's Why

In a heartwarming gesture, Anand Mahindra, the Group Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra, has decided to gift a brand new XUV400 electric SUV to the parents of chess sensation Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. The young prodigy recently made waves by becoming the youngest finalist at the FIDE World Cup in Baku.

What Happened? Mahindra took to Twitter to laud the 18-year-old’s remarkable journey, where he bested the world’s second and third-ranked players, eventually squaring off against the top-seeded Magnus Carlsen. While the company has a history of gifting its iconic Thar or XUV700 SUVs to Indian sports achievers, like Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, this time there’s a twist.

Instead of the rugged Thar, Mahindra chose the futuristic XUV400 electric SUV, symbolizing a step towards a greener future. He articulated his choice, emphasizing the significance of investing in a sustainable future, much like the essence of electric vehicles. He further credited Praggnanandhaa’s parents, Shrimati Nagalakshmi and Shri Rameshbabu, for their unwavering support and nurturing of their son’s passion for chess.

Rajesh Jejurikar, CEO of Mahindra and Mahindra, promptly responded, confirming that a special edition of the electric SUV would soon be on its way to the young chess star’s family.

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