VIII Women Together Institution Award 2012

Shriji Perspective

Greetings from Udaipur!!!

It is a privilege to be present here in the middle of such a distinguished gathering and to receive the VIII Women Together Institution Award for 2012 presented to The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur. It is undoubtedly a rare tribute to be placed among the ranks of those illustrious awardees who have made a positive difference to society.

We wish to thank the Office Bearers of the WT Award Committee, the Jury and all those who were instrumental in selecting the MMCF for this singular selection from a land so far away from the HQ. It is most exemplary and enviable.

I stand before you today, as Chairman and Managing Trustee of MMCF and also as the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, acknowledged as the world's oldest-serving dynasty and a humble follower of the tradition that we have held sacred for the past 14 centuries in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

As early as in the year 566 - the Mewar family has followed the timeless concept of Custodianship. This legacy commits our family to the principles of 'custodianship form of governance'. This ideology forms the basis of Eternal Mewar.

On this occasion we wish to express our deep gratitude to the people of Udaipur and Joint Custodians of MMCF with whom we share the pleasure and the commitment of making Udaipur an improved destination through our engagement in academics, eco management, philanthropy, living heritage and several other areas of socio-economic relevance.

In pursuance of the ideal of custodianship, the House of Mewar set up nine charitable institutions, of which MMCF is the largest. Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur.

We are proud to state, that our unique model which seamlessly mingles business, philanthropy, governance and popular interactive involvement, has touched the lives of a large percentage of people directly or indirectly across the entire strata of society of Udaipur.

Udaipur stands today as a symbol of a beautiful blend of historical richness and contemporary relevance achieved by innovative and sustained efforts of MMCF since 1969. The conservation of Living Heritage being practiced by MMCF is also in conformity with UNESCO's concept of intangible heritage which is seen vanishing across the globe, a matter of concern for all. We believe that it is not just accepting the change but embracing it while not losing our distinctive ideologies that keep our 'Living Heritage' alive. We are extremely pleased that WT Association recognizes our Foundation's continual efforts in the last five decades, as a contribution to universal culture and facilitate the UN Millennium goals.

Appreciation from prestigious organizations is extremely encouraging. It provides us with an increased impetus to work harder and take the immense challenges that face us head on. Your validation will also provide a greater zeal in all of us who are associated with the MMCF.

I would like to use this opportunity to request all of you esteemed guests to visit Udaipur and advise us how we can further improve our beloved city Udaipur. It is in collective responsibility that we can grow better and faster and Udaipur requires Joint Custodians more now than ever before.

I thank Women Together Association once again for having conferred this award on Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.

Thanking you.

Arvind Singh Mewar
76th. Custodian House of Mewar