Arvind Singh Mewar is an Indian businessman and chairman of HRH Group of Hotels. Arvind and his brother Mahendra both claim to be the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar. The Maharanas of Udaipur are considered not rulers but custodians of the kingdom on behalf of Sri Eklingji. He is the second son of Bhagwat Singh Mewar and younger brother of Mahendra.
Education
Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur was educated at Mayo College, Ajmer from where he completed his school certificate. He obtained his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Udaipur. He studied English literature, economics and political science at the Maharana Bhupal College in Udaipur. He undertook a hotel management course from The Metropolitan College, St Albans, in the UK. Later, he worked in hospitality services in the United States.
Career
Arvind Singh Mewar is the Chairman and Managing Director of the HRH Group of Hotels, which was started by his father in 1963. He has a crystal collection in the palace as well as a fleet of antique cars. These are open to the public. A graduate of Mayo College, Ajmer he took a hotel management course in the UK and then went to Chicago, USA. From 1979 to 1981, Arvind Singh Mewar lived and worked in Chicago. Back in Udaipur, from 1981 to 1984, he worked as the ADC / Personal Secretary to his father, His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar. His duties included handling appointments, guest relations and travel plans. In 1982–83, he was General Manager of Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur.
Personal life
Mewar is married to Princess Vijayaraj of Kutch, Gujarat, and they have three children: Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar, Princess Padmaja Kumari Mewar and Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. There has been some controversy between branches of the family about the leadership of the House of Mewar and the subsequently the holder of the custodianship. The lines are between Arvind Singh on the one hand and Mahendra Singh on the other. The feud has been determinant to the glory of the dynasty which has been serving the longest in the world. The extended family of the kingdom resides in the eloquent City Palace located on the banks of Pichola.
Personal interests
Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur is a keen sportsman and aviator. An avid cricketer, he has represented his school, university and Rajasthan State in cricket tournaments in India. Presently, he remains a patron of the game and a member of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, the Cricket Club of India, Bombay Cricket Association, and the Marylebone Cricket Club, London. He has been instrumental in the transforming polo in India through the establishment of Mewar Polo. Shriji established Ramgarh Resort & Polo Club in Jaipur as India's first 'polo destination'. He has been a patron of polo in the UK through the Cambridge & New Market Polo Club. Shikarbadi Hotel in Udaipur now has a private airport where Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur has been developing his passion for aviation and sports. Microlite aircraft and smaller airplanes are available for personal use and special guests; he is working towards converting the Shikarbadi private airport into a commercial one to be developed as a 'city airport'.
Awards & achievements
He was bestowed with the VIII Annual Gala WT Institution Award 2012 for 'Contribution to Universal Culture' at the General Assembly of United Nations Headquarters in New York for his leadership and work through the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur. WT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. He was awarded the HIFI Hall of Fame Award by Hotel Investment Forum India in January 2012 for his exemplifying outstanding business practices, leadership and achievements in the hospitality industry. In recognition of his contribution for the promotion of tourism in the country, the Travel Agents Association of India conferred the prestigious 'Agastya Award' upon Shriji for the year 2001. Shriji has been an active member of the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council, the global forum for business leaders in the travel and tourism trade. With the Government of Rajasthan, Shriji has been the advisor to the Rajiv Gandhi Tourism Development Mission; he has also been an Executive Member of The Rajasthan Foundation, dedicated to the promotion of Rajasthan Tourism worldwide.
