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Introduction
An important element of the Maharana's charities is its focus on education at both the
pedagogic and adult literacy levels. Education is a vital step towards
the improvement and understanding of life both for the individual and the
community. Education is the gift parents most desire for their child,
it is beyond price. It creates opportunities - it gives individuals
the chance to help themselves, to be self-reliant and have self-respect,
and by this means help those around them. The meaning of education however
is far wider and even more vital than formal studies undertake in schools,
colleges and universities.
The Vidyadan Trust, through the MMCF gives support to individuals from primary
school through to advanced studies and even to the post-graduate level.
This assistance can also extend to studies abroad and to attending international
conferences and symposia. With the support and help of the MMCF,
recipients have been able to present papers at forums in various academic
establishments. Scholars have contributed within India and also at international
conferences such as Cambridge University (UK), International Geology Conference
in Kyoto (Japan), and various other international conferences as far a
field as Washington DC, Vancouver (Canada), Dunedin (New Zealand) and others.
Support and assistance is also given to teaching establishments for maintenance,
for provision of equipment and books, and for teacher training. Vocational
training, in all types of crafts and trades, is provided at the Maharana
Mewar Technical and Vocational Institute and at other colleges where appropriate.
Maharana Shambhu Singh built the first school for girls in Udaipur in 1866, and
during the reign of Maharana Bhopal Singh (1930-1955) more schools, including
a number of schools, specifically for girls, were opened. (Bhopal Singh
also established the Rana Pratap Hindi University at Chittor, and an Agricultural
College at Udaipur.) Other educational institutions funded by the MMCF
and its ancillary body, the Vidyadan Trust include the Maharana Mewar Public
School situated within the City Palace complex and the Maharana Mewar Vidya
Mandir near Amba Mataji Temple.
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