On World Intellectual Property Day, Anand Mahindra (Chairman of the Mahindra Group) shared a significant family discovery: a 1918 patent filed by his grandfather, J.C. Mahindra, for a two-cycle opposed-piston engine designed to run on crude oil. This revelation came to light when Vaidehi Mayekar, a senior manager at Mahindra, found the documents while exploring company archives. Anand Mahindra expressed surprise, noting that he had only heard vague mentions of his grandfather's tinkering in the past. J.C. Mahindra, an engineer trained at Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute in Mumbai, had a notable career in the steel industry and played a crucial role during World War II as India's first Iron & Steel Controller. His efforts laid the groundwork for Mahindra & Mahindra's establishment in 1945. The timing of this discovery, just before World IP Day, added significance, inspiring Anand Mahindra to encourage engineers within the group to innovate. The story resonated with many, highlighting India's engineering heritage and the importance of preserving such historical narratives to inspire future generations.