UDAIPUR: The Enchanting Vale

An assessment of the global scenario of the 16th century reveals that, the founding of Udaipur was a logical decision of a wise monarch. It was an event that greatly influenced the history of the Indian sub-continent in general and that of Mewar and the still-surviving Sisodia dynasty in particular. Over the centuries, Udaipur has achieved international distinction for its scenic beauty; history; architecture" mineral resources, etc. Udaipur the Jewel of Mewar was founded in 1559 AD by Maharana Udai Singh - father of legendary hero Maharana Pratap. Chittorgarh, the capital of his kingdom, though well fortified, was indeed a vulnerable plateau in the wake of the changing military developments of the 16th century.

This city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure water lakes, hemmed

in by the lush hills of the Aravalis drenched in romance and beauty. Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences - an inspiration for the imagination of the poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavour of heroic past, epitomising valour and chivalry. Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace - a marvel in granite and marble. Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur City, only five remain. The Surajpole or Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance to the city. There are three picturesque lakes in the midst of the town giving it well deserved title - 'Venice of the East'.

The City has famous hotels, art museums, palaces, temples drawing every third foreigner to the City that visits India.

Several places of interest around Udaipur, including the majestic Chittaurgarh, the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur, religious townships of Eklingji and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mount Abu, make the visit to this region a memorable one. . Rocks carving this blissful valley easily turn a geo-scientist into a philosopher. Time has put its magnificent signatures on the rocks of this fascinating valley and its surrounding environs. Right. from the fragments of the early crust to the artifacts of the Ahar Civilization are all well preserved in this valley of Udaipur popularly known as

"Girwa", 

Exotic destinations of Udaipur



If Jaipur is a study in pink, Udaipur is a vision in white. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. 

City Palace: The whitewashed City Palace seems to float out of the blue Pichola water. Here one finds a maze of inter-connected courtyards, corridors, and rooms. Some have lovely inlaid pietra durra mirror work walls, scalloped arched windows with colored glass panes, glazed mosaic tiles, and sculptured bas relief decorations like the famous dancing peacocks in Mor Chowk. Parts of this old palace complex house a museum endowed by the Maharana Mewar Foundation. 

Lake Palace: Lake Palace or Jagat Niwas is a white marble summer residence of the princes of Mewar, which was built in 1746 by Jagat Singh. Set on an island, the whole Palace appears to float on the blue water of Lake Pichola. The airy stucco complex with dainty balconies, terrace gardens, water fountains and arched windows, reflects the brightness of the sun, sky and lake. The interiors are profusely decorated with paintings, stained glass and crystal. 

Pratap Museum : While entering the City palace the straight way go to the Government Pratap Museum housed with old sculptures and inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram later on called Shahajahan, who built world fame Taj Mahal has also been displayed here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh. 

Jagdish Temple : The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called 

Jagdishji, is a major monument. Raised on a tall terrace and completed in 1651, it is a tribute alike to the tenacity of its builders and the resilence of the art and tradition, it represents. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh (I) in 1651 A.D and is a good example of Indo - Aryan architecture. 

Dudh Talai : A beautiful laid out 'Rock Garden' wherefrom, one can enjoy the sunset view in Lake Pichhola and a panoramic view of the old city. The Musical Fountain is another attraction for the visitors.

Gulab Bagh & Zoo : A spectacular rose garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh, is situated near the palace on the east side of Lake

Pichhola. A library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books. Within the garden, there is a zoo with tigers, leopards, chinkara and many wild animals and birds are being kept. 





Pratap Smarak (Memorial) : Atop the Moti Magri or Pearl 

Hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana astride his favourite horse

'Chetak'.

The major industrial sectors in Udaipur include:



agro based industries, cement and cement-based industries, chemicals and fertilizer industries, engineering and fabrication industries, electrical and electronics industries, plastic and rubber industries, textile industries, soapstone industries, marble and granite industries, mining and minerals industries, hotels and tourism industries, diamond cutting and polishing industries and last but not the least paper products 

UCCI creates a breakthrough in the IT arena of Udaipur



The new economic environment offers formidable challenges and opportunities to the industries and business community.

However what is required is that this region be provided with a level-playing field with facilities and support similar to the ones being provided to industries in other countries, particularly in the developed countries. 

Unless appropriate improvements in technology, management, marketing are timely integrated, industries and business activities will not be able to sustain the competition. Many have already been forced to down their shutters. 

The Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), realized an urgent need to modernize and upgrade the technology particularly of the small industries sector in this region. Today technology has become the cutting edge for success in the open market. 

And thus was conceived the idea of creating a technology center at the UCCI. At this point of time, UCCI found an opportunity to interact with Swiss Agency for Developmant and Cooperation (SDC), and found in its policies, its own objectives of support and development to small scale and tiny scale industries. Soon the informal interaction took shape of a cooperation project, that provided momentum for establishing the long conceived Technology center creation. 

As a natural corollary and consequence to the developments in the city, the very idea, impetus and thought of establishing a technology centre to fulfil the growing needs of UCCI, proved to be a welcome establishment for Udaipur and its surrounding region as a whole with a view to achieve and synchronize 'progress, harmony and development' and simultaneously cater to the technology needs of the region's industry and commerce.

The technology center is equipped with video conferencing facility, internet, e-mail and such other modern telecommunication means to provide a data bank pertaining to informations on not only the existing industrial and trade activities but also promotional projections and planning for development, based on available resource potential in Udaipur region.

The primary functions of the Technology center are:

• To collect, collate and keep systematically all information about prominent industrial sectors - national and international market, important sales outlets, opportunities, threats related laws, rules, regulations and so on. 
• To organize Information on EDP machines for systematic collection and prompt dissemination. Computers shall be connected with Internet, fax and e-mail to facilitate quick communication. The important information retrieved from Internet shall be down loaded and stored on electronic media. Printouts shall be arranged under well-indexed information cabinets of the TIC for the use of clients. 
• To publicize in related sub sectors about the facilities available at the TIC so that cluster, units, entrepreneurs and individual artisans may make use of the center.
• To survey concerned clusters and sub sector enterprises for assessment of their need for support in product development, design development, raw material availability at fair price, product testing and quality control, credit facilities, training of artisans, technology upgrade, marketing of products all over the world and waste and rejection management 
• To undertake specific trade research which could have an overall impact on the development of the region
• To operate a fully equipped library at the Technology center, where all literature, magazines, legal material, trade
  
  specific laws, export, import policies, classified documents and so on could be available to traders and manufactures
• To operate a display center for member units of main industrial and service sectors. Together with this to establish and operate a quality control cell with standardized norms of input, processing and finished products
• To identify and enlist master craftsmen in various segments
• To organize and supervise training and technology development programs for capacity building and empowerment of artisans and production units
• To establish liaison with government, semi-government and non-government institutions like R & D centers, promotional bodies and representative associations for the benefit of the Industry as a whole
• To organize exhibitions, collective sales, buyer seller meets and other sales promotion program
• To keep the industry informed about possible participation in sales promotion and technology innovation programs organized by government or non-government bodies in India and abroad
• To keep close touch with export consortium and assist it with information about potential international markets and import inquiries
• To organized trade fairs and other ethnic or trend setting activities independently or in collaboration with other institution in the field
• To fix-up rates for various services programs and material assistance for members of Technology center and non
  
  member clients
• To keep complete record of activities and beneficiaries of various schemes and projects funded by international agencies
• To establish support and initiative cooperation projects with international agencies ready to work on developmental projects of this region
• To establish contacts and Interact with academic Institutions and research organization
  
  The Technology center has already started establishing contacts with several entrepreneurs with the help of their Trade Associations and has started identifying their technical and training needs. It has also started interaction with academic and research institutes, foreign organizations to start long term projects. With this humble start, the Technology center will be shot in the arm of UCCI for the benefit of industries and public of south Rajasthan so as to make its presence proudly felt amongst other well known Chambers of commerce and industry all over world.

Udaipur Computer Association


Udaipur Computer Association , popularly known as UCA, is an association of IT entrepreneurs of Southern Rajasthan, that works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of the IT industry. With almost 150 members and partnering industry through advisory and consultative process, UCA has been a facilitator and catalyst working closely on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities through assorted services. The association is having members in all over Udaipur 

Since inception, the Association has become a nodal agency responsible for the growth and development of IT industry in the southern Rajasthan of India and has emerged as the most important IT forum. It has successfully created an ambience conducive to the growth of the industry and trade in this region. The Association is a non-profit organization, playing a proactive role in the development of IT trade. 

Half a decade ago, the founder members of the Association had sown the seeds. The acorn has now grown into an oak. A name to reckon with in the arena of Information Technology, UCA is the apex representative body of hardware dealers and resellers. UCA has played a pivotal role in ushering an IT revolution in this region, especially the hardware business. The Association has now grown into the new diva of hope and driving force behind hardware business in this region. The growing footprint of UCA has witnessed a significant increase in sales turnover in hardware sector. 

UCA was formed by few enthusiastic IT entrepreneurs, who felt it necessary to set up a forum to exchange ideas and thoughts for a better tomorrow, protect the interests and rights of the members and IT Industry, negotiate with the statutory authorities collectively and also encourage and spread IT awareness in Rajasthan.