Synopsis: As the 19-year-old Lekhara won India’s first gold medal in the women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1 at Tokyo 2020, the business magnate congratulated her by dedicating the project’s first SUV for Specially-Abled to her.
Malik had asked the Indian car industry to create customised SUVs for those with unique needs.
As shooter Avani Lekhara made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games on Monday, congratulations poured in from all corners of the country for the 19-year-old athlete.
Anand Mahindra, the chairman of the Mahindra Group, joined the chorus of praise for Lekhara’s victory. The industrialist stated in a tweet on Monday that the first customised SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) for specially-abled people will be dedicated to Lekhara
In a video posted on Twitter, Malik had tagged Indian automobile giants like Mahindra, Tata Motors and MG India, hoping that the “Automobile world in India can give us this dignity and comfort.”
Mahindra had informed Malik that construction on the project would begin soon. As Lekhara, 19, won India’s first gold medal at Tokyo 2020 in the women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1 final with a world record score of 249.6, the business tycoon honoured the athlete by dedicating the project’s first SUV to her.
“A week ago Deepa suggested that we develop SUV for those with disabilities. Like the one she uses in Tokyo. I requested my colleague Velu, who heads Development to rise to that challenge.
Well, Velu, I’d like to dedicate & gift the first one you make to Avani Lekhara,” the 66-year-old business tycoon said.
This is not a first, on August 8 a Twitter user asked Anand Mahindra “Xuv700 for him (Neeraj Chopra).” In response, the chairman of the Mahindra Group agreed and remarked that it would be a personal present to India’s “Golden Athlete.”
Not only that, but he also tasked two of his company’s executives with keeping the car in good working order for the gold medalist.
With the Indian cricket team giving the visitors a terrible time in the present series, business billionaire Anand Mahindra credited his lucky charm—a pair of sunglasses—for a portion of the triumph.
He took a photo while wearing a fantastic pair of ‘Axar shades’ as the Men in Blue won both the Test and T20I series. The gesture moved the cricketer as well. Later, though, it was Mahindra’s response that stole the show.
This is the first big international medal for Lekhara. She finished fourth in the most recent global championship in 2019.
After swimmer Murlikant Petkar (1972), javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia (2004 and 2016), and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, Lekhara is only the fourth Indian athlete to win a Paralympic gold (2016).
