PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: Kolkata witnessed a rare and candid sharing of thoughts by Shriji Huzur Dr Lakshyaraj Singhji Mewar, the 77th custodian of the House of Mewar and direct descendant of Maharana Pratap, at a special session on “Transforming Legacy into Sustainable Business Enterprises”. The session was organised by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce (CCC) on February 23, 2026, at The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel , Kolkata.
The session was graced by Shri Mahesh Saharia, Chairman of the North East Sub-Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, several Past Presidents of CCC, members of CCCLF and members of elite business families.
Dr Lakshyaraj Singhji Mewar, Chairman and Managing Director of the HRH Group of Hotels, has successfully transformed royal heritage properties into dynamic, sustainable business entities. While preserving local arts, crafts and culture, the group has generated significant employment and contributed meaningfully to India’s economy. The HRH Group and the Taj Group of Hotels share a strong 54-year business relationship in the hospitality sector.
Celebrating the spirit of “Swatantrata” — the core value symbolised by the House of Mewar — Dr Mewar addressed members of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce and guests in Hindi. He emphasised that blending simplicity with elegance, honouring business commitments, showing deep commitment to people, respecting the dignity of the workforce, practising humbleness, staying grounded in cultural roots, and pursuing long-term strategic planning are the key factors for building sustainable business enterprises.
Highlighting the historical commitment of the House of Mewar to animal welfare — including the protection of tigers — and the maintenance of a healthy biosphere, Dr Mewar stressed the importance of intergenerational interaction and care to prevent “generation-racism”. He urged focus on truth while solving problems and overcoming challenges, noting that challenges are an integral part of both personal and professional life every day. Overcoming them truthfully and with empathy, he said, is the real key to scripting a success story.
Dr Mewar recalled that the first girls’ school in Mewar was opened in 1854. He also paid homage to the late lawyer-hotelier Lalit Suri by lighting candles at the hotel lobby.
He further stressed the need for intergenerational bonding with freedom and care for all family members of every age to ensure sustainable growth. Referring to the abolition of the privy purse for royal families in 1971, Dr Mewar noted that while it had hurt the House of Mewar, the challenges were overcome through strategic thinking, careful planning and effective implementation of policies.
“The socio-economic-cultural-political landscape is continuously evolving and throws up new challenges every day,” he said. “One has to be brave and strong enough to overcome these challenges daily to create and script new success stories and a rich history.”
Earlier, Shri Anant Saharia welcomed Dr Lakshyaraj Singhji Mewar and introduced the distinguished guest. Past President of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Shri Manoj Mohanka, moderated the special session with insightful queries and observations.