Indian sailing star Preethi Kongara’s rise from poverty has Anand Mahindra ‘overwhelmed’

“What are the chances that a grade 8 girl in a government school living in a low income community in Hyderabad who never put foot in a water body…to be Captain of India’s Sailing Team?,” wrote Manoj Kumar, founder of Naandi Foundation on Twitter, introducing Preethi Kongara.

The now-star athlete was a middle-school student at the Nallakunta Government School in the Telangana capital in 2016 when the non-profit working to “make poverty history” picked her for project Nanhi Kali.

Founded by Anand Mahindra and jointly managed by Naandi India, the program sponsoring underprivileged girls saw a spark in Kongara and brought her to veteran sailor Suheim Sheikh — a mentor who would change her life for good.

“Today, she’s India No 1 in the Olympic Mixed Double 470 Class of boat,” said Kumar.

After getting wind of the remarkable success story, Mahindra — who uses his Twitter account to recognise the achievements of pioneering individuals — said he was “overwhelmed”.

The industrialist, who has over 10 million followers on the social media site, previously relished in the triumph of the Indian Under-19 Cricket team at the inaugural ICC U-19 T20 World Cup.

"These Champs gave us a glimpse into the future…and that future looks dazzling! Jai Ho to these Warriors," Mahindra tweeted.