Udaipur: On the occasion of Independence Day, the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation is organising a series of cultural and heritage-based activities at the City Palace Museum, Udaipur, from August 14 to 16, 2026. The three-day programme aims to connect the spirit of Independence Day with Mewar’s vibrant cultural heritage, music, traditional cuisine and local entrepreneurship.

A special platform titled ‘Sapt-Ras’ has been set up at the Janana Mahal of the City Palace. The initiative showcases the traditional food culture of the Udaipur-Mewar region, indigenous ingredients, traditional dishes and locally made products to residents as well as domestic and international tourists.

The initiative is also promoting local small-scale entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, self-help groups, start-ups, organic and natural food producers, millet-based product makers and enterprises associated with tribal food traditions.

Organised under the guidance of Foundation Chairman and Managing Trustee Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the initiative seeks to connect India’s rich cultural traditions with contemporary contexts while strengthening the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) at the local level.

The Foundation believes that heritage is not limited to monuments and objects preserved in museums. It remains a living tradition through music, food, folk customs, entrepreneurship and the active participation of communities. The initiative also seeks to promote local entrepreneurship and self-reliance in line with the broader objectives of government initiatives such as Startup India and the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi).

Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mayank Gupta said the Foundation’s objective is to present food not merely as a matter of taste but as an important component of living heritage. He said local farmers, artisans, tribal communities and small entrepreneurs are making meaningful efforts to preserve and carry forward food traditions and indigenous knowledge passed down through generations.

Through the three-day programme, the Independence Day celebrations at the City Palace Museum will be dedicated to the theme of “From Heritage to Self-Reliance,” bringing culture, music, local flavours and entrepreneurship together on a common platform.