MAHARAJAS WITH ΝΟ KINGDOMS

The powers of the Rajput kings of princely states in Rajasthan, of course, don’t exist post-Independence. However, the titular rulers of Rajasthan ensure that erstwhile traditions of the royals continue and that their coronation ceremonies still take place. MARWAR reports.

All That I Am

In times when kindness is a rare virtue, Manju Lodha, Chairperson, Lodha Foundation, sets a fine example with her selfless service to the society. In a conversation with MARWAR, the social entrepreneur offers glimpses of her social and welfare initiatives, her love for writing and music, and what inspires her to keep going tirelessly.

MAKING A SUSTAINABLE DIFFERENCE

Riju Jhunjhunwala, Chairman and Managing Director, RSWM Limited, is on a mission. This businessman, entrepreneur and one of India’s youngest regional Presidents of Entrepreneurs' Organisation, seeks to do things responsibly and sustainably.

Painting gives me PEACE

Pooja Anant Bajaj proudly presents her debut solo show on wildlife art. MARWAR talks to the artist about her love for wildlife art and nature and her journey in the art world.

PUBLIC WELFARE THE PRIORITY

Close to hosting a major milestone event called Invest Rajasthan Summit in October in Jaipur, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan, exclusively interacts with MARWAR on his roadmap for the progress of the state.

Enabling the disabled

Philanthropy comes in different forms and in varying levels of intensity. or Padma Shri Kailash 'Manav' (Kailash Chandra Agarwal 'Manav'), e founder-chairman of Narayan Seva Sansthan, it means empowering differently-abled and underprivileged, especially children from weaker Secctions of society, who have little hope of being able to lead normal lives.

Giving them a better future

Divya Jain’s dedication to helping unskilled and jobless youth find their feet and move ahead in life is like the proverbial phrase of teaching a man to fish to help him feed himself for a lifetime. The erudite entrepreneur cum-altruist talks to MARWAR about her multiple roles of helping the family business grow and now giving back to society.

Weaving dreams into reality

The story of Ruma Devi’s transformation from a village girl into a social worker, change-maker, entrepreneur, leader and icon of women’s empowerment is a lesson in courage, determination and sense of purpose for not just womanhood but all.

EMPOWERING THE TRANS GENDER COMMUNITY

The transgender community has long lived on the margins of society, eking out a living primarily through begging and sex work. To make a difference, Neelam Jain stepped in and today her social enterprise Peri Ferry is ushering positive change.

CUTTING A FINE FIGURE

Master craftsman and national awardee, Amrit Sirohiya infuses imagination and creativity into the ancient art of gemstone carving to create breathtaking pieces that find takers from the world around, while also contributing to preservation of the art.

Preserving a Legacy

In her new coffee-table book, Textiles of Rajasthan: At the Jaipur Court, noted academician, author and researcher Vandana Bhandari takes readers back in time to acquaint them with Rajasthan’s rich spread of textiles and time-honoured techniques to produce them.

CREATING HIS OWN DESTINY

Investment management and advisory firm White Oak has increased its India-dedicated assets under management (AUM) to USD 3 billion in just a few years since its inception in 2017. MARWAR talks to its founder Prashant Khemka, to learn about his remarkable entrepreneurial journey.

HITTING THE BULLS EYE

India’s performance in the world arena, when it comes to archery, has improved steadily with an ever-increasing number of Indian archers emerging winner at international events. Among the more illustrious of them is Arjuna awardee Rajat Chauhan.

Breaking the mould

The ever-evolving Marwari community has seen a paradigm shift with the advent of the astute Marwari businesswoman. Serial entrepreneur Manjri Agarwal throws light on the gradational change of perspective this has brought about towards traditions.

a WOMAN of PARTS

As the wife of industrialist Harshavardhan Neotia, Madhu Neotia’s involvement and contributions towards the expansion of the Ambuja Neotia Group’s healthcare and hospitality businesses is well known. Add to these the India Story and Genome initiatives, and we have a tireless woman whose many endeavours to give back to society deserve commendation.

The Weatherman

Be it weather forecasting, or devising modern forecast methods, or dedicatedly serving the nation and mankind, eminent agrometeorologist and scientist Dr Laxman Singh Rathore has done it all with amazing mastery.

Towards inclusive growth

Nearby Technologies brings basic banking, digital payment and financial services to people at the bottom of the income pyramid through partnerships with neighbourhood retail and kirana stores. MARWAR talks to Anand Kumar Bajaj and Yashwant Lodha, two of the group’s four co-founders, to learn about their journey of building India’s largest hyperlocal fintech network.

Stitched to perfection

Kolkata-based designer Naina Jain is known for her ensembles that honour traditional crafts and textiles while infusing versatility and modern styling.

Mithai magic

Indian mithai makers are creating magic by amalgamating traditional flavours with international techniques and the results are simply tantalising.

THE POWER OF LOVE

Love, compassion and kindness are simple tools, yet they hold tremendous power to transform lives, as Prasanna Bhandari’s lifelong dedication to the service of the weak, helpless and underprivileged has exemplified.

Scaling new heights

Akhil Jain, the fourth generation of the Jains at the helm of Jain Amar, a family-owned clothing and accessories business founded in Ludhiana in the pre-Independence era, takes MARWAR through its history and his efforts to scale up the business as its executive director.

Meet the Next Generation of the KHETAWAT CLAN

STANDING in his family’s office in Kolkata during a rare quiet moment in the day, young entrepreneur Vedang Khetawat reflects on his ancestors who cleared the path that brought him where he is today. The office is nestled in the midst of what quickly became a bustling hub of commerce and trade in the mid-twentieth century.

Matchmaking on Netflix

Meet Sima Taparia, the Indian matchmaker who has married traditional sensibilities with modern-day choices.

BEJEWELLED SPLENDOUR

Whether you are a traditional bride or a daring trendsetter looking for unique bridal jewellery, here are top jewellery houses decoding the latest trends for your big day.

BACK to NATURE

At a time when sustainable practices have become the need of the hour, Ayush Baid’s growing retail chain Ellementry stands out as a rare example of a business rooted in eco-friendliness and sustainability, while also keeping India’s traditional arts and crafts alive.

Fine Dining At Home

Fine-dine restaurants are now making ‘contact-less’ deliveries of lip-smacking food prepared in sterilised utensils, in sanitised kitchens, at your doorstep. Marwar brings you an update.

MINIATURE MARVELS

It takes talent, artistic fervour, endless patience and labour to master the art of miniature paintings, all of which Gopal Prasad Sharma epitomises. Meet the national award winning artist, whose feat of drawing a portrait on a single grain of mustard seed puts him in a league of his own.

INDIA'S RISING POP SENSATION

ONE RARELY COMES ACROSS A 26-YEAR-OLD SELF-STARTER, WHO IS HARD-WORKING, COMMITTED AND SUCCESSFUL AS WELL. TALK TO ANANYA BIRLA, DAUGHTER OF INDUSTRIALIST KUMAR MANGALAM AND NEERJA BIRLA AND YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MET SOMEONE WHO IS. LISTEN TO HER STORY AND YOU REALISE THERE IS A SOFT AND WELL-BALANCED SIDE AS WELL TO HER MULTIFACETED PERSONA. MARWAR TAKES YOU THROUGH THE RISING POP SENSATION’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF CARVING HER OWN LEGACY.

THE LEGACY LIVES ON

Sundeep Bhutoria, managing trustee of Prabha Khaitan Foundation, tells MARWAR how the foundation, established in 1987 by Dr Prabha Khaitan, continues to promote performing arts, literature and cultural activities.

Worth his SALT

Real and relatable principles of life, gathered and learnt over a lifetime, come together in entrepreneur Sanjay Kumar Jain’s debut book A Pinch of Salt: In the Recipe Called Life. In a Q & A session with MARWAR, he sheds light on his new book, his motivation, the challenges he faced in writing it and lots more.