Maharana Arvind Singh
Mewar Award

Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, was a rare blend of statesman, cultural guardian, hotelier, and education advocate. As Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), he led a wide range of philanthropic initiatives dedicated to education, heritage conservation, and cultural research. Through organisations such as the Vidyadan Trust, Rajmata Gulab Kunwar Charitable Trust, and the Maharana Mewar Historical Publications Trust, he guided more than fifty projects that strengthened learning, preserved history, and promoted cultural understanding. His vision continues to live on through institutions such as The City Palace Museum, the Maharana Mewar Special Library, and the Research Institute, which remain important centres of knowledge and heritage.

Under his leadership, the HRH Group of Hotels evolved into India’s only privately owned chain of heritage palace hotels, setting new standards in hospitality while safeguarding the architectural and cultural legacy of Rajasthan. Yet, despite his achievements in business and tourism, education remained at the heart of his mission. Through scholarships, libraries, educational programmes, and community initiatives supported by MMCF, he worked tirelessly to ensure that learning remained a cornerstone of social progress and cultural continuity. He believed that education was not merely a means of advancement, but a responsibility that connected generations and strengthened society.

A distinguished alumnus of Mayo College, Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar pursued higher education in Udaipur before undertaking professional training in hotel management in the United Kingdom and the United States. His global exposure was balanced by a deep respect for Indian traditions and values, allowing him to bridge heritage and modernity with remarkable ease. Beyond education and hospitality, he was passionate about sport and aviation, contributing significantly to the development of cricket, polo, and private aviation infrastructure, including the establishment of facilities at Shikarbadi Airport. His lifelong commitment to excellence earned him numerous honours, including the WT Institution Award at the United Nations, the Agastya Award by TAAI, and the HIFI Hall of Fame Award for excellence in hospitality.

The Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar Award celebrates this extraordinary legacy of service, leadership, and vision. It honours his enduring belief that education, culture, and heritage are inseparable pillars of a progressive society, and recognises those who continue to enrich communities through learning while preserving the values and traditions that define them.