Arvind Singh, a former ruler of Mewar, better known as Shriji, seated at Udaipur, the lake city of India, has been generously giving back to the society in the post-privy-purse-abolition era with his best managerial skills.
In present times, it might be difficult to count all the erstwhile princely houses, however, it is not difficult to figure out how Arvind Singh has created a difference amongst all by being a Custodian and not a King by following eternal ethos to turn Udaipur into Centre of Excellence. Harsh Vardhan sheds light on the 76th Custodian of House of Mewar…
Shriji Arvind Singh is proud to outline how the Sisodia dynasty ruled since ancient times, and says, “The House of Mewar is acknowledged as the world’s oldest-serving dynasty, has faced challenges, which have tested the maintenance of the Custodianship form of governance and the Custodians’ commitment to carry on serving as the Diwan of Shree Ekling ji…..” The mantle of 76th Custodian devolved upon Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar as a “Diwan” (Prime Minister) and not as a King…..”
Mewar rulers, trustees of Ekling ji
The Mewar rulers, therefore, serve as “trustees” of Ekling ji, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, who is the Eternal Ruler of Mewar, as had been ordained by Bapa Rawal, thanks to the blessings reverend Bapa received from Maharshi Harit Rishi during 728 AD. The ancient temple of Ekling ji is located about 30 km North of Udaipur.
Mewar Foundation Annual Awards
As early as 1980, then Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar had instituted Maharana Mewar Foundation Annual Awards. He was a visionary ruler who possessed know-how as well as do-how. He knew how to invite best of the business houses to join hands. Udaipur’s Lake Palace, a dream resort in the world, owes its creation to this dynamic ruler.
Spreading the essence of Mewar…
To carry forward father’s principled philosophy, Shriji has emerged as an oracle in Mewar’s contemporary history: transforming properties, injecting ease-to-do-business, creating new business idioms, and offering gainful employment to all deserving besides inducting an international work-ethos which other princes only dream. Heritage conservation and promotion, philanthropy, eco management, academic institutions, history, chivalry, glory, splendour, tradition and much more, all are encompassed in his daily routine. Visit any corner of his property and you experience the essence of Mewar, sustaining culture in its best formats.
Committed to develop Udaipur as ‘centre of excellence‘
Shriji’s new idiom is his commitment to develop Udaipur as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. The House of Mewar welcomes collaboration and joint ventures with competent willing persons or agencies for long-term association. He means it. Visit the Aodhi, a castle he created at Kumbhalgarh, or Gajner Palace which he refurbished but kept alive its enshrined spirit, or Fateh Bagh at Ranakpur, which is an eco-lodge, and you inhale a different oxygen as generated therein. His ecological concern is to be experienced at all nooks and corners of his properties and palaces, eg Shiv Niwas Palace and Shikarbadi, both located within Udaipur.
Shriji has created a beautiful world around
Shriji Arvind Singh has been a cricket player at Ranji Trophy and a polo player; he flies his tiny aircraft from his personal air field. His cricket ground often hosts overseas matches which include hosting I Zingari XI from Britain. His vintage car collection; his wild life trophies for conservation and the world created by him is difficult to be outlined in a few words.
With all Mewar’s ethos being followed religiously, all we can say is long live this dynastic tradition as being carried forward by Shriji…!