The Leela, a prestigious hotel chain, has bestowed the title of the newest Icon of India upon Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, a renowned polo player and scion of the royal family of Jaipur. Hailing from a lineage steeped in history, Padmanabh Singh, affectionately known as Pacho, is the great-grandson of Sawai Man Singh II, the last ruler of Jaipur, and the son of Divya Kumar, Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister, and her husband, Narendra Singh. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, recognized his contributions and influence by conferring this honor upon him.
Padmanabh Singh’s journey in competitive polo began in 2015 during his time as a student in England, where he was associated with the Guards Polo Club, renowned for its longstanding connections with the British royal family. Despite his young age of 25, he has already etched his name in the annals of polo history. He holds the distinction of being the youngest winner of the Indian Open Polo Cup and the youngest captain of the Indian polo team. This accolade places him among illustrious company, joining previous recipients such as sarod virtuosos Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Miss World 2017 and Bollywood actress Manushi Chhillar, and prominent woman cricketer Smriti Mandhana.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, the Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, underscored the significance of this award, emphasizing the chain’s commitment to engaging with India’s youthful demographic, who are deeply rooted in their heritage and possess a forward-looking perspective. He stated in a press release that the recognition of Padmanabh Singh as an Icon of India aligns with their vision to embrace a dynamic future.
In response to this honor, Padmanabh Singh expressed his gratitude towards The Leela for their longstanding association, which commenced in 2022 with the inception of “The Leela Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Polo Cup,” where he has led The Leela team for two consecutive years. He articulated his eagerness to collaborate with The Leela to create meaningful opportunities that showcase the essence and opulence of India to the world.
In conclusion, The Leela’s designation of Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh as the newest Icon of India signifies not only his individual achievements but also celebrates the rich cultural heritage and promising future of the nation. Through his endeavors in polo and his collaboration with The Leela, Padmanabh Singh embodies the spirit of excellence and represents a beacon of inspiration for the younger generation.
