Mallcom India Director Mr. Giriraj Mall on why Mallcom choose to sponsor Shiva Keshavan for 3 years apart from making a coffee table book on his life. Shiva Keshavan is the only Luge sportsperson from India to have participated in the Olympics 6 times. He holds the record for being the fastest Asian Luger (134.3km/hour and is accurately nicknamed the “Fastest Asian on Ice” At 16 he became the youngest Luger to participate in the winter Olympics.

1. Catching Up with Shiva Keshavan at Confederation of Indian Industry
Sports Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Winter Sports in India

3. Shiva Keshavan is the only Luge sportsperson from India to have participated in
the Olympics 6 times. He holds the record for being the fastest Asian Luger
(134.3km/hour and is accurately nicknamed the “Fastest Asian on Ice” At 16 he
became the youngest Luger to participate in the winter Olympics.
We just saw 3 short snippets of total 5mins 26 secs of Shiva’s ordeal in PyeongChnag,
Seoul Winter Olympics in 2018. May I ask the audience; what emotions did you have
when you watched this movie. Imagine you being there, how would you have felt.
Yes, can we get to hear from few of you?
Wow! Wah! Goosebumps!
Precisely, it’s all about passion, commitment, dedication, “doing-it-all” for your
country kind of feeling.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Trust me, I felt the same way, along with many of my colleagues and few dealers and
my wife who had joined us to see Shiva on the luge track in the world’s biggest event
– winter Olympics on Feb 8, 2018.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to CII supported Winter Sports conclave after 2 years
of the 6th appearance of one individual from India. He could incubate the idea of winter
sports in India and CII taking a lead in organizing the first conclave – itself is the
testimonial of Shiva’ s contribution to winter sports. Undoubtedly, he has got the

4. people talking about winter sports. Shiva, seating on the podium, had carried and
walked with Indian tri-colour maximum times in Olympics (both winter and summer).
No other Indian has such feat in their CVs.
Shiva and we started corresponding in January 2016 and in April 2016, we inked with
Shiva. For all practical purpose, I know him for 4 years now.
I had an opportunity to work with him very closely. Had a chance to visit his home
town in Vashisht, Manali. Shoot some videos on mountainous track of Himalayas. Bake
pizza in the best coke-based oven in Manali. Working with him was a marvelous
journey. I learnt from Shiva the most important mantra “It’s about how you get there
and standing up for what is right”.
Now, we are gathered here for the launch of the coffee table book on the journey of
Shiva Keshavan for the pursuit of a position in winter sports and leaving a mark as an
Indian Olympian. He had established as a podium finisher for 10 times in Asian
Championship and that made him the Fastest Asian on Ice.
I have been often asked why Mallcom sponsored Shiva Keshavan and after 3 years of
our association asked me on why we are making a coffee table book.
To answer the first question – why not Shiva? Youngest Indian athlete to participate
in Olympics, max. number of carrying the tri-colour on his hand to walk on Opening
ceremony of Olympics, consistency in the field with or without any support. I was
asked same question by Virendra Sehwag for EPIC TV programmed Umeed. Mallcom
found a resemblance with Shiva’s profession – a profession that comes with
occupational hazards – 300’ vertical drop, 150 kmph speed and -40C temperature.
Mallcom provides few solutions to industrial workers at those hazards.
Coffee table book was an outcome of the association that nurtured between Shiva and
Mallcom and many of the associates who were part of this journey. With this launch,
we wanted to bring to the attention of MSME, industry players, policy makers, sports
enthusiasts etc. to support the un-common, unknown fields of sports. India has a better
chance to turn the tide and better it’s medal tallies. I hope and wish that this book will
inspire many young Indians.
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. Thank you, Shiva, for
entertaining us in the luge track. Thank you letting us in your life, to know you more
as a person – a disciplined and committed athlete. You have made India proud. Please
accept our appreciation in form of a Coffee Table Book.
As you said, “Live your life based on the joy found in effort”. May I request you to
please come and launch “Fire on Ice” book based on your journey. And I ask audience
for a round of applause.
Jai Hind!