Anand Mahindra wants specially-designed SUV dedicated to Avani Lekhara

After Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a Gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said he wishes to develop a new SUV dedicated to her and specially-designed for specially-abled people.

The 19-year-old para shooter won Gold in the R-2 women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event this morning, beating the 2016 Rio Games gold-medalist Cuiping Zhangh of China and reigning world campion Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine.

Anand Mahindra took to social media to express his desires to develop a new SUV. He wrote, "A week ago @DeepaAthlete suggested that we develop SUV’s 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."

Anand Mahindra referred to Veluswamy R, the carmaker's Chief of Global Product Development, in his tweet. Veluswamy R is the man behind developing Mahindra's most recent offering - the XUV700 SUV.

Mahindra and Mahindra has launched the XUV700 SUV last month at a starting price of ₹11.99 lakh (Ex-showroom). The SUV is being offered in five as well as seven-seat layouts, and with manual as well as AT, and with petrol as well as diesel engine options. The 2021 XUV700 has been launched as a successor to the XUV500 with several upgrades which include a new body design, a host of new features, safety equipment and much more. It will compete against a wide variety of rivals, from Tata Safari and Hyundai Alcazar to Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and more.

A week ago @DeepaAthlete suggested that we develop SUV’s 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 #AvaniLekhara https://t.co/J6arVWxgSA

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 30, 2021

Mahindra has been one of the Indian carmakers who have been actively supporting the successful Indian athletes in this year's edition of Tokyo Olympics and the Tokyo Paralympics. The carmaker had earlier announced that it will felicitate Neeraj Chopra, who won India's only Gold medal at the Olympics 2021. Anand Mahindra had made the announcement to honour the ‘Golden Athlete’ with an XUV700 after his heroics last month.

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