Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, photographed by Vikrant Kumar for Vanity Fair On Time

Extracts from Shriji’s diary

Mr. Nick Foulkes, Editor of Vanity Fair On Time from the UK talks to...
In an interview with Vanity Fair On Time Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur told “We measure time in terms of family generations not in terms of seconds, minutes, hours or years" explains the 76th Maharana Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur. "This is a critical factor when you are carrying out heritage work because it never finishes: you are not working for today, or tomorrow, but for the next 25 generations.”
Born on December 13, 1944, three years before India's independence, the Maharana has a unique perspective on time. After 1947, his grandfather and father continued their duties and obligations as custodians of Mewar, as in an earlier time bound tradition, but in 1971 the constitution was amended and the Maharajas and Rajas suddenly became ordinary citizens, stripped of their earlier privileges. However, Shriji's rich family history is ever-present in the Maharana's day to day life, insuring the preservation of the culture of his land and restoring his ancestral palaces into commercially viable luxury hotels under the HRH brand: Historic Resort Hotels. Interestingly, Shriji continues to find himself drawn to the past. " I am very fond of my cultural and material heritage: old cars, horse carriages, and watches. My Grandfather was very fond of pocket watches and I have inherited a big collection." Among them is a particularly cherished time piece, which the Maharana holds in this photograph, inscribed " Hamilton Calcutta, Swiss Made", and that he wears attached to a chain with a medallion sporting a picture of his Grandfather.

The rayon du solein work, so characteristic of fine Swiss watchmaking, takes on an additional significance for its owner: "it looks like the rays of the sun; as a worshipper of the sun I find that inspiring.”

A Photographic Exhibition at Bagore -ki-Haveli
A photographic exhibition 'Champaner - A Medieval Capital' by Mr. Varun Maira was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri S K Singh, Governor of Rajasthan on the 7th October, 2007 at Bagore-ki-Haveli, Udaipur. Mr. Maira is an IAS Officer from Gujarat and amateur photographer. He provides a glimpse of Islamic, Hindu and Gujarati culture in his photography. His Book, ' Champaner' was also released on this occasion as he presented a copy to Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur who attended the event accompanied by Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur.

Mercedes Benz - The India Trail Car Rally
Daimler Chrysler India Pvt. Ltd. Co-ordinated a 'Mercedes Benz - The India Trail Car Rally' which started from Pune on the 27th September 2007. The rally comprised of seven Mercedes covering a distance of approximately forty thousand kilometres stopping over in Panaji, Belgaum, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai before reaching Udaipur on the 7th October. Here the rally was officially flagged off by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur from the Shikarbadi Hotel, Udaipur. Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur was also present at the Flag-off. Managing Director Mr. Wilfred Alber updated the audience on the proficiency of the company's new range of cars available in India.