Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, a renowned polo player and scion of the royal family of the former Jaipur State, has been honored as the latest Icon of India by The Leela.
Born into the lineage of Jaipur's last ruler, Sawai Man Singh II, Padmanabh Singh is the son of Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Divya Kumar and her husband, Narendra Singh. The prestigious title was bestowed upon him by the esteemed luxury hotel chain, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.
Fondly known as Pacho among his close circles, the 25-year-old Jaipur native ventured into competitive polo in 2015 while pursuing his education in England. He became a member of the Guards Polo Club, which shares a longstanding connection with the British royal family.
Padmanabh Singh holds the distinction of being the youngest winner of the Indian Open Polo Cup and the youngest captain in the history of the Indian polo team. His name now joins the ranks of other distinguished individuals such as sarod maestros Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Miss World 2017 and Bollywood actress Manushi Chhillar, and prominent women's cricketer Smriti Mandhana, who have received this prestigious recognition.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, the CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, underscored the significance of the award, stating that it underscores the company's commitment to engaging with India's youth, who are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and exhibit a strong sense of confidence in shaping a dynamic future.
Reflecting on his association with the luxury hospitality brand, Padmanabh Singh reminisced about the inception of their collaboration in 2022 during "The Leela Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Polo Cup," where he has led The Leela team for the past two years. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with The Leela to create meaningful platforms for showcasing the essence and opulence of India to the world.
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