Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur

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Prince Shivraj Singh, Yuvraja of Jodhpur (born 30 September 1975), is the Crown Prince of Jodhpur and the son of Maharajah Gaj Singh and Maharani Hemlata Rajye, daughter of the late Raja Shivratan Deo Singh of Poonch and H.R.H. Princess Nalini Rajye Lakshmi of Nepal in Dehra Dun. He has a sister who was born on 22nd August, 1974, Princess Shivranjani Rajye.

[edit] Education

Prince Shivraj was educated at Mayo College in Ajmer, then moving on to Eton College, where he played polo for Eton. After leaving Eton, Shivraj went studied at Oxford Brookes University, where he got a degree in Business Administration. After graduating from university, Shivraj worked with the Schroder's Bank of Geneva and London and Jadine in Hong Kong before returning home. The prince is now involved in the business of managing the palace hotel group which includes Umaid Bhawan, Bal Samand, Sardar Samand, and various festivities and functions involving the Jodhpur Royal Family[[1]].

[edit] Polo

Prince Shivraj[[2]] is an avid polo player and a known face in Delhi high society, where the prince stands out for both his royal lineage and striking good looks. He is primarily responsible for training the Jodhpur polo team, which is now one of the best polo teams in the world. Widely referred to as Indian polo's poster boy, the prince suffered a serious head injury during a Birla Cup match at the Rambagh Polo Ground in February 2005. Shivraj slipped into coma and was rushed to the SMS Hospital after he began vomiting and lost consciousness. Shivraj’s horse ran into another player’s horse when they were both chasing the ball. Fellow player Vishal Singh recalled that, "‘‘Shivraj and I were chasing the ball when I asked him to turn and clear the way for my shot. But as soon as he turned, his horse ran into rival player Sameer Chaudhary.’’ At this, the polo pony stumbled and fell to the ground, crushing Shivraj beneath it. Doctors attending on Shivraj at the hospital said there was a clot in his brain and he may require surgery. On February 21st Shivraj was taken to Mumbai for treatment at Tata Hospital. He remained in a coma well into March 2005, although the doctors successfully performed surgery on him. Shivraj survived a similar accident three years prior to this.

Eleven months later, the prince had recovered enough to speak in short sentences and move about in a wheelchair. His first public appearance since the accident was at the Maharajah's 58th birthday party held on the Baradari Lawns on January 13th 2006; however, the prince watched from his balcony. Princess Shivranjani Raje told reporters he is active and rehabilitating with the help of an American occupational physiotherapist. The prince can reportedly walk with some assistance.