Introduction
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur becomes the first man from India to represent an Awardee of the WT Award for "Contribution to universal culture" at the United Nations. The award recognizes his leadership and work through the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur. It is a unique case study of governance at the highest level that mankind can aspire to, both in personal and business environment. The only other Indian to win this award is Ms Ela Bhatt of SEWA.
The Women Together Association (WT) is a nonprofit organization created in 1996, which in association with the United Nations, focuses on eradicating poverty. In accordance with such aim, WT promotes Microcredit financing and development industries such as local arts and crafts in underdeveloped countries, thereby empowering the individual and improving health and education. Women have been the main force in these industries and beneficiaries of such financing. Women Together honors prominent people in their fields who have contributed to this mission.
The Women Together Awards promote the implementation of ethical, philosophical, moral, economic, scientific and cultural values that open new horizons for the future of humanity. They also recognize personal and institutional achievements, mainly those that constitute a relevant contribution to universal culture and help reaching the UN Millennium Development Goals.
The MMCF is the largest of the nine public charitable institutions set up in 1969 to sustain the responsibility of the House of Mewar towards humanity after the amalgamation of the State of Udaipur, Mewar into the Republic of India in 1947. For over four decades, the MMCF, currently hiring a 260-member team has invested in mainly four areas: academia, eco-conservation, philanthropy and heritage conservation. In 2011 alone, it ploughed back, it’s own resources, close to US$ Two million for 32 projects it undertook. At its core, the MMCF is a symbol of a conscientious, uncompromising commitment of the House of Mewar to the founding principle of ‘Eternal Mewar Custodianship’ established in the year 734 AD.
If you wish to know more regarding the MMCF please click on:
http://www.eternalmewar.in/mmcf
VIII Women Together Institution Award 2012
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The purpose of settling the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur, a Public Charitable Trust with valid Income Tax exemption, was to ensure the sustenance of the duties and responsibilities of the Maharana in democratic India. MMCF has been committed to supporting the goals and objectives held sacred since the 1400 year old family tradition of custodianship. This is the living heritage of the House of Mewar, which encompasses a wide range of activities that include environmental protection through water resource management, extensive medical and healthcare aid, providing pension cover to ex-employees, promoting self reliance amongst women and encourage financial support to educational and cultural endeavors. These have cumulatively transformed the ethos of Udaipur, the capital city of Mewar, to emerge as a centre of excellence in every aspect of present-day life.
MMCF, Udaipur, an initiative of the Custodian of the House of Mewar for the perpetuation of its core value of service to humanity, has, in the true Indian Vedic tradition, become a temple of inspiration for future generations. It is an embodiment of the spirit of trusteeship which permeates every activity undertaken by the Foundation towards sustaining, consolidating and enhancing the hallowed traditions and the heritage enshrined in Udaipur as 'Eternal Mewar'. These traditions include works of permanent value rendered to society and activities in pursuit of excellence.
In 1971, the Parliament of India abolished princely states. As a consequence the privileges and the privy purse of former sovereigns came to an abrupt end. Their vast estates fell into the tax net and in addition the time honored and cherished traditions of the House of Mewar faced the challenges of survival. In anticipation of these changes, His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar (r. 1955 to 1984) set up in 1969 the MMCF, to which he donated the main portions of The City Palace, as well as an endowment. Presently, the income is generated from the interest on the original endowment and from the entrance fees to The City Palace Museum, Udaipur.
The activities under the aegis of the MMCF are in tune with the ideology cherished and upheld by the ancient family legacy. The focus areas for MMCF are promoting academic learning, preserving ecological balance, the establishment of public- private partnerships, philanthropy and to encourage understanding of all aspects of Indian history, culture, civilization and heritage. For more information kindly visit http://www.eternalmewar.in/library/downloads/collaboration/trusts/mmcf/MMCF Review.pdf
MMCF has instituted annual awards from 1981 in various fields of human achievement from school children to international award .It has also tied up with UNESCO and the Udaipur Municipal Council for sustainable development of heritage cities of India, with special focus on Udaipur.
The Chairman and Managing Trustee, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar was quoted on a recent international news channel that 'we have the passion, the vision and the commitment to further develop the activities of MMCF but the pace is dictated by the flow of resources'.
This VIII WT Institution Award for 2012 to MMCF is most timely and will go a long way in fulfilling its objectives. The MMCF records its grateful appreciation and sincere thanks.
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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
