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 Introduction
The Maharana
Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) was instituted to serve and
assist man to realise his special status in the hierarchy of God's creation,
and to serve as a Temple of Inspiration to future generations.
In
1971, Parliament amended the Constitution, and by the Constitutional Amendment
Act of 1971, the erstwhile sovereigns of the states of India, became ordinary
citizens of the democratic republic, and their privileges and allowances
ceased. From now on they would have to fend for themselves and seek whatever
income they might. The most important aspect of this legislation was symbolic.
The rulers were reduced by the abrupt removal of that respect which they
had earned through centuries of service. Now, amongst other things, they
would also be liable to estate duty like anyone else, and their palaces
became at a stroke, a vast taxable asset.
His
late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singhji of Mewar, now known simply as 'Mr.
Mewar', was concerned, on the one hand, how to make practical commercial
use of all his buildings and on the other, how to continue a time honoured
and cherished tradition. In 1969, Bhagwat Singh established a Charitable
Trust to which he donated the main portions of the City Palace, as well
as a considerable endowment. Thus, the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation
came into existence on the 20th day of October 1969. Its funds derive both
from interest on the original endowment and from entrance fees to the City
Palace complex, now a museum open to the public.
Maharana
Mewar Vidyadan Trust, under the MMCF covers a very broad range of educational
purposes and the Maharana Mewar Historical Publications
Trust also a subsidiary of the MMCF, was instituted to encourage and
assist young and aspiring writers to publish books of permanent value to
society. This trust has financed the publishing of new work, and
also re-issued important books (that had gone out of print), so as to make
them readily available to scholars.
Under
the umbrella of the MMCF, individuals are also provided with the means
to obtain vital medical treatment. Over the years, this has ranged from
open-heart surgery and kidney and other organ transplants, to all manner
of cancer treatment, broken limbs, and the provision of medicines and food
for the ill, for orphans and the poor. Equipment for hospitals and caring
for the poor is also part of the agenda for these trusts. A dispensary
within the City Palace complex provides free treatment and medicine.
(Charaka, the greatest of ancient Hindu physicians, was possibly the first
to speak of a code of ethics for physicians to treat patients without thought
of gain or reward, and to keep in strict confidence the details of a patient's
illness.)
In
addition, the Foundation has set up a number of subsidiary Trusts for religious
and charitable purposes, to give assistance without distinction of caste
or creed or religion, in the "…Honoured tradition of a family which
has never descended to bigotry". (Brian Masters, 'Maharana').
Bhagwat
Singhji decreed that the monies earned by the Maharana Mewar Foundation
should be devoted to social welfare and education. He appointed trustees
who would be devoted to and uphold these principles. Behind his intention
lay firm adherence to the instructions of Harit Rashi, who had given the
State of Mewar in trust to Bappa Rawal, seventy-five generations before,
to administer in the name of Shri Eklingnath, the presiding deity of Mewar.
One
of the guiding principles laid down by Harit Rashi was to help keep the
human soul in a state of alertness, in order that human beings should value
the dignity of man. Another governing tenet, of equal importance, was that
self-reliance and self-respect should on no account be sacrificed.
The
main objectives of the trust, as outlined in the Declaration of the Trust
clearly states that the income from the corpus must go towards charitable
purposes in India. These include:
-
Relief
to the poor
-
Spread
of education through unbiased methods
-
Medical
relief
-
Advancement
of any other object of general public utility not involving profits
The scope
and reach of the MMCF is vast and embraces all the avenues of service to
the community that was planned by His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singhji.
The duties of a Maharana must be disseminated regardless of whether the
presiding government recognises him as the anointed scion. After the severance
of the states of India, when Maharajas and the Maharana no longer held
the social and civic responsibilities that they were used to, the concept
of ‘service to the community’ was taken over by the government - by politicians
and municipal legislators. The role of the Maharaja/Maharana was forcefully
made redundant.
The
House of Mewar however decided on another course of activity. They decided
to continue with their responsibilities toward their people in a manner
that would be conducive, and would comply with the curriculum laid down
by new independent India. The activities of the MMCF are one such highlight
into the enterprise of the House of Mewar.
The
activities follow a deliberate agenda. The premise behind these activities
is service to the community, therefore the entire gamut of society – Mewar
society and Rajasthani society must be attended to. The MMCF has a comprehensive
programme of service to the community, with wide-reaching benefits. A monthly
agenda following an extensive schedule charters the flow of this goodwill.
The
activities of the Trust can be broadly classified under the following sub-heads:
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