
UDAIPUR AS A LEARNING CITY
Udaipur as a Learning City is a Learning Lab for reimagining and localising our urban lifestyles.
Our Vision
A Learning City seeks to nourish the learning commons and expand the web of learning opportunities for the benefit of all of its citizens. It focuses on innovative un/learning approaches to nurture intergenerational social cohesion and trust, ecological regeneration, spiritual well-being and resilient local economies. Through the diverse range of resources and technologies they bring together, the participatory processes they use, and the spirit of seva (sacred service) they invoke, learning cities can generate powerful local solutions to complex challenges.
Udaipur as a Learning City was initiated in 1999 by diverse citizens of Udaipur. We were concerned by the growing pollution, violence, inequality and loneliness due to urbanization. We did not want Udaipur to grow into another mega metro city or be the 'Venice' of India. We wanted Udaipur to grow into Udaipur.



OUR OFFERINGS
Services include: Impact Investing, City Fellowships, Startup Mentoring, and more.
Services include: Hosting groups to more deeply understand local wisdom and gift culture, Alivelihoods and how to start reimagining education.
Services include: Organizing Workshops, unConferences, Festivals, Community Cafes.
Services include: Filmmaking and Documentation Projects, Social Media Promotion, Theatre Productions, Mural Art, Research and Publications.
ALIVELIHOODS INCUBATOR
The Alivelihoods Incubator invests in, mentors and supports regenerative projects and eco-cultural startups. We are committed to reviving the real wealth - natural capital, social capital, health capital, and knowledge capital - of the city and surrounding villages.
ULC Alivelihoods Hero
Kudos to Inventor SL Surana. He has developed a viable solution for Rajasthan's marble slurry waste problem. These mountains of white slurry pose significant ecological and health risks. Inventor Surana is now producing eco-friendly, low cost (Rs.4.50), strong, light-weight BRICKS using marble slurry, cement and fly ash in village nathdwara. These are PWD-tested and approved. Contact Shikshantar (mail@shikshantar.org) for more details about Super Eco-Bricks.


Learning Cities seek to broaden processes of learning and unlearning beyond what stifling terms like 'schooling', 'training' and 'literacy' imply. We believe that there is a need to reframe these understandings within the larger context of Swaraj (building on Gandhiji’s vision of Hind Swaraj). This implies:
- questioning and critiquing what have become well-entrenched narratives of ‘progress’, 'development' and ‘success’;
- challenging exploitative, extractive and dehumanizing structures, technologies and institutions;
- engaging in personal self-reflection and expansion of our notions of Self; and,
- re-membering traditional wisdom and negotiating shared visions of the good life
COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS
10 Signs of a Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Society*
10. People take time and mourn together for at least 12 days after a death.
9. Marriage ceremony between lovers and their friends and families take place for at least a week.
8. People’s primary mode of transport is either walking and bicycling.
7. Animals of all shapes and sizes (at least 10 different species) can walk freely on the roads in neighborhoods and they feel safe and respected.
6. At least 100 diverse plant and tree species (with lots of fresh organic fruits, wild foods and medicinal plants) growing in every neighborhood and the soils are alive and rich with micro-organisms
5. People have at least 1 hour per day to drink a cup of herbal tea together with their friends.
4. People make and eat fresh breads daily using freshly ground flour, (in most cases 2-3 times per day)
3. Men feel comfortable crying in front of others and are encouraged to share their feelings openly. Various forms of daily human touch is encouraged.
2. People don't have to lock their doors and/or don't have to have excessive security measures such as CCTV, security guards, barbed wire fencing, police, military spending, etc.
1. What are your indicators for Happiness?
* Shared by Manish Jain, My Happiness Index (Inspired by Bhutan's GNH)

Experiments with Sustainable Lifestyles
Nurturing Youth Leadership
How to spend the Perfect Day in Udaipur...
UNLEARNING JOURNEYS
Traditional Knowledge and Grassroots Wisdom
The river never drinks its own water.
The tree never tastes its own fruit.
The field never consumes its own harvest.
They selflessly strive for the well-being of all those around them.
-Mewari gift culture proverb
Local Gift Culture Experiments

COMMUNITY MEDIA: RE-STORYING OUR LIVES
About Udaipur
Udaipur, formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559 with the support of the indigenous Bhil tribal community. The city is built around a series of artificial lakes and majestic mountains and is known for its lavish royal palaces. The local language is called Mewari. Udaipur has a unique blend of traditional wisdom, gracious hospitality and cosmopolitan culture.

Ram Ram Udaipur Community TV Show
"The biggest challenge of our times is to replenish soil, soul and society."
- Satish Kumar, Earth Pilgrim
Hass Gulla Mewari Comedy Channel
Our Local Publications

ABOUT RAJASTHAN COLOUR

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ABOUT RAJASTHAN COLOUR
Our Team
MANISH JAIN
CO- FOUNDER

VISHAL SINGH
UPCYCLING DESIGNER AND COMMUNITY FACILITATOR

SAKIB
ORGANIC PERMACULTURE LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
VIDHI JAIN
CO- FOUNDER
ASHISH SHARMA
FILM MAKER
DR. NISHTHA JAIN
WELL-BEING GUIDE
HARSH WARDHAN
WEAVER & FACILITATOR

PRIYANK KASHYAP
MUSICIAN

KARAN SINGH
ORGANIC FARMER AND COMMUNITY FACILITATOR
Shikshantar Andolan
21 Old Fatehpura,
Udaipur 313004
Telephone: +91 9829 724 189
Follow
Email- vidhi@swaraj.org