About Us
The Friends of Mewar was born from the values of the House of Mewar, the world’s longest-serving dynasty, and carries forward this legacy through philanthropy, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.
With a strong, unwavering desire to support children in need, help people take charge of their health, and take care of the longest-serving, unbroken custodianship of the world – Padmaja Kumari Parmar, the daughter of the House of Mewar, started The Friends of Mewar.
A nonprofit founded for those who cannot and should not be left helpless, The Friends of Mewar is a philanthropic community of friends passionate about bringing about change and transforming the world.
It breaks our hearts to know that nearly half of India’s children are deprived of an education, while 1 in every 3 people runs a risk of premature death by non-communicable diseases that could have been prevented. We can’t just sit around and do nothing about it.
Yes, the problems we are facing are massive, but if there is one thing to learn from this 1300-year-old relationship between people, family, and the House of Mewar, then it is thoughtfulness. The stories of the custodians of Mewar and their perseverance to stand by its people still inspire us today.
We believe that if we come together as a community that collectively and honestly works towards a better world, we will start living in one. The Friends of Mewar is for all those who see the world as one and look at life as an opportunity to bring a smile, help people, and live to inspire.
Who We Are
At The Friends of Mewar, we believe that the most effective way to improve the quality of life of the under-served sections of society is to provide educational opportunities and preventive healthcare, while also strengthening and preserving the rich culture that is a part of their proud heritage. Our mission is to bring together a community to support projects that address these three causes.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our vision is an India where children can find easy access to quality education, where no one suffers because of a lack of preventive measures and timely treatments, and where our world-famous cultural heritage lives to inspire generations to come and connect us to the world. We love what we do and together with you, we’ll make this world a better place.
Padmaja Kumari Parmar
Founder
Padmaja Kumari Parmar (née Mewar), daughter of the House of Mewar, represents the world’s oldest serving dynasty, founded in 734 AD in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Inspired by her grandfather’s establishment of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation in 1969, Padmaja’s work spans philanthropy, hospitality, and health. In 2013, she founded The Friends of Mewar, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, expanding preventive healthcare, and promoting women’s empowerment and education.
A seasoned hospitality executive, Padmaja is part of the third generation of heritage hoteliers at Historic Resort Hotels. Previously, she served on the Advisory Board for the Bvlgari Hotel in London. She is a member of the Advisory Board at Princeton’s MS Chadha Center for Global India, Harvard Medical School’s Global Health and Service Advisory Council, and a Global Ambassador for Breakthrough T1D.
Whether amplifying the stories and rich cultural heritage of her hometown Udaipur or empowering others through her Type 1 Diabetes journey, Padmaja educates and inspires individuals and communities toward positive change. She champions impactful initiatives she is passionate about at a local level and on global platforms.