City Palace, Mewar’s icon of sustainability, will stand tall and proud on 28th September and flag off the longest drive by a paraplegic woman across the country. The City Palace couldn’t have been more proud of the women of today for fighting against all challenges that life could throw at them. And more so, Deepa Malik for taking the bold step forward keeping all limiting circumstances at bay and helping others emerge as well.
Deepa is a daughter to an army officer and has the grit of one too. She is one of the most severely disabled and aged sports persons, who started her journey in sports at the age of 36. She has been a nominee at the London Olympics 2012 with a number of medals under her belt. She has braved the chest-below paralysis and 183 stitches on her spine. She has no bladder control and no sensation in her body below chest level. She is wheel-chair bound and needs an attendant 24 x 7 to assist, shift and wheel her. But her passion is limitless. Her passion to drive took her to the Desert and the Himalayan Rallies in a modified car and on a motor-bike. And here she is, all set for the longest drive across the country. Not just this, she has sacrificed her trainings several times to help her teams and has been one inspiring woman all along!
This is not the first time that Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur has supported her initiatives. The first was early this year for her drive through the Thar and Rann of Kutch. Now its time for a drive from Chennai to New Delhi (approx. 3000 km). This will also be a drive to spread awareness amongst students and NGOs working for the physically challenged. Now that’s what we call the real drive. Good going, Deepa Malik!
For a closer look at Deepa’s life, please click here.
We know it! Millionaire Asia showcases the lifestyle of the radiant millionaires and caters to niche audience. The Indian chapter of the magazine, for its 6th anniversary edition interviewed Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar on the ‘Living Heritage’. During the interaction, Shriji unveiled to the magazine what is close to his heart, the pleasure of being able to take the legacy forward, his prized collections and learnings of life. And his denotation of luxury, wealth and success in his life.
Anuradha kaul from Millioaire Asia perceives Shriji as a multifaceted personality, from being an aviator to a hotelier, who is respected for his strategic thinking, business acumen and ethical conduct. As the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar, he has among other things, modernized and extended the heritage variable into a strong family business, headquartered in Udaipur and spread across Rajasthan and India.
On being asked what his most prized possession was, Shriji promptly said, “Our heritage is our equity. It is our identity and remains our most prized possession. It can neither be bartered nor sold; it has to be preserved and developed.” His definition of being wealthy: “If I can keep on reading, understanding and living by the percepts of Bhagvad Gita, which is kept on my bedside table, then I am a very wealthy man.”
On 30th May, the Zenana Mahal at City Palace Museum, Udaipur will be seen adorned with the archival pictorial treasures of Mewar given a face-lift with new framing. The photo gallery, Long Exposure: The Camera at Udaipur, 1857-1957 has been drawing thousands of eye-balls and leaving people awed since March 2009. The photographs are from Maharana Shambhu Singh (r. 1861-1874) to the time of Maharana Bhagwat Singh (r. 1955-1984). There are portraits, hand painted photographs, Carte-de-visite, Albumen Print, Gelatin Silver print etc. And not by one single photographer!
Long Exposure, after being closed for public view for a brief span of time for re-framing of some pictures is ready to take you back in time to experience the royalty once again. This time with deeper conviction.
The revived collection will be inaugurated on 30th May at The Bhagwat Prakash Photo Gallery at The City Palace Museum by Mr. Vikas S. Bhale, IAS, District Collector and District Magistrate, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Post inauguration, Long Exposure will be open for public view from 31st May 2013.
A special thanks to Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar for his enthusiastic support in extracting the old treasures. It would not have been thinkable without him. Stay tuned with us for the regular action on Long Exposure.
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur in conversation with Fernando Torga Caruncho, expert on Gardens from Spain at Shambhu Niwas Palace, Udaipur
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur at Shambhu Niwas Palace, Udaipur discussing the development of Udaipur with respect to tourism related facilities with Dr. Mike Fabricius, IFC Tourism Specialist, The Journey Tourism; Mr. Alok Rajan, Consultant, Investment Climate Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation a part of the World Bank Group and Mr. D.S. Rathore, Assistant Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan
