Thu, 9 April

MAHARANA OF MEWAR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND DOMAINE NATIONAL DE CHAMBORD SIGN A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: Rajasthan and Loire Valley of France come closer to preserve living heritage

On 9th April 2015 in Chateau de Chambord, Chambord, France a partnership agreement was signed between the Domaine National de Chambord and Udaipur City Palace, which is managed by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF).

This marks the first cooperation project between the Loire Valley and Rajasthan. The idea of developing exchanges between them was the fruit of a common desire, jointly expressed by His Excellency Mr. Francois Richier, The Ambassador of France in India, New Delhi and Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur, Rajasthan, to preserve the living heritage of the two countries.

The aim of the agreement is to expand Indian tourism to France and to preserve and introduce Indian culture and heritage. Both share the unique quality of enjoying exceptional historical tourist attractions and being located relatively close to their countries' capitals, making them first-rate tourist destinations.

The agreement identifies four objectives:
1. Promotion of knowledge of the two sites and their regions to their respective audiences
2. Sharing of knowledge in the field of conservation
3. Joint communications to promote tourism to those destinations
4. Organisation of events in common

For France, the signatory was Mr Jean d'Haussonville, General Manager of the Domaine National de Chambord. On the Indian end, the signatory was Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.

Because of the symbolic nature of the two sites in their respective regions, this first partnership could serve as a role model and have a domino effect in the development of further tourist and cultural relationships between India and France.

The MoU, while commemorating the strong and long-standing bilateral friendship between India and France, will establish a partnership between MMCF and DNC to enhance the promotion of their respective sites, cities, regions and histories.

The DNC is a State-owned industrial and commercial undertaking located at the historic Château de Chambord and was represented in the MoU by Mr. Jean d'Haussonville. Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the Trustee of MMCF and Ms. Vrinda Raje Singh, CEO - JCI, MMCF represented MMCF for the MoU at Paris.

Ms. Vrinda Raje Singh informed that MMCF in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and the Domaine National de Chambord in France, are preserving major works of architecture, art and the intangible heritage (as defined by UNESCO) of the Indian and European civilizations respectively. Both sites constitute a cultural and natural heritage which must be treasured for all humanity, states the MoU. Committed to this purpose, the MMCF and the Domaine national de Chambord will be sharing common objectives in terms of conservation and preservation, education, tourism development and contribution to scientific research.

The MoU is focussed first on facilitation of awareness about the two sites, cities, regions among the Indian and the French publics through historical and heritage (tangible or intangible) exhibitions, conferences, workshops and seminars etc. There will be sharing of knowledge, skills and experience with regard to conservation and presentation of cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of the visitors/ tourists received every year at each of these sites, cities and regions. The two partners will also undertake and support joint communication for promoting the two sites, their cultural, educational and scientific activities in France and India with a view to developing and enhancing tourism. They will also develop joint projects on shared themes, such as cultural activities, festivals, tourism-related activities for people-to-people programs of both India and France.