Who would better understand the importance of saving our old structures other than a royal figure like Maharaj Gaj Singh, the king of Jodhpur who has taken up the responsibility of creating awareness on conservation of heritage monuments.

Not many know that he had spent his early childhood in Pune at a rented bungalow in Koregaon Park, but he doesn’t remember much about that period of his life except for the name of his school.

His eyes brighten when he recalls, “Shivaji School and my sisters went to St Mary’s.” Back in the city after 11 years, he is shocked and surprised at the way the city is developing. He adds, “I was here 11 years ago to attend an Indian Heritage Hotels’ Association meeting. Pune has changed drastically since then.”

He looks visibly upset at the state of heritage sites and monuments in Maharashtra. He feels these old structures are not being utilised properly. “It is disheartening to see the sorry state of so many heritage sites.

Maharashtra is culturally a very important state and Pune is the city that tops the list in this matter, unfortunately nothing is being done to preserve the ancient places here,” he says. As the president of the association that deals with preserving art and culture, the maharaj aims at making these structures a means to generate income for locals. “Our aim is to encourage the state government to take keen interest in developing heritage tourism.

Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace is not only Maharaj’s private residence but has a part converted into a hotel. Built by Maharaja Sir Umaid Singh, it was known as Chittar Palace and is the largest private residencs in the world