The new face of India’s dynastic elites: with brains, beauty and big hearts, the princesses of Mayurbhanj are not your regular royals

As young entrepreneurs make their mark in the world of business, young royals are following this trend by establishing their presence in different industries. Mrinalika M Bhanj Deo and Akshita M Bhanj Deo are the second and third daughters of Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo, the 47th ruler of the Bhanja dynasty, part of India’s princely state of Mayurbhanj, part of Orissa, a state in eastern India. Their mother is Rashmi Rajyalaxmi Bhanjdeo, from the royal family of Jaisalmer, and their father’s mother is Maharani Bharati Rajya Lakshmi Devi, daughter of Nepal’s late King Tribhuvan, and the aunt of the current king. Technically, India's royalty lost their official powers in 1947, but while the ceremonial elites remains, Mrinalika, 28, and Akshita, 26, are not your average pampered heiresses. Beyond attending Le Bal des Debutantes in Paris a few years ago, to represent India alongside debutantes and cavaliers from the Kennedys and the Windsors, the sisters are focused on promoting local art and culture, running a sustainable boutique palace hotel, and embracing eco-tourism in Orissa. Meet the 21-year-old Indian ‘king’ renting out his palace on Airbnb Potent mix of beauty and brains Born and raised in Kolkata, Mrinalika and Akshita attended the prestigious La Martiniere for Girls, up to Grades 9 and 10, following which the sisters moved to the elite United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore. The college’s Singapore alumni include Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor and Princess Anita of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven-van Eijk, a Dutch princess. Its other campuses around the globe boast alumni such as Pavlos, crown prince of Greece; Kim Han-sol, grandson of Kim Jong-il; King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. View this post on Instagram “Set in 1904, ‘Maharani Sahiba’ unfolds the forbidden love story of a reformist queen, Sucharu Devi, and a philosopher king, Maharaja Shriram Chandra Bhanj Deo, which was erased from our history. The narrative takes the viewer to the time the queen spent at the Belgadia Palace built by the king.” ~ vogue.in A post shared by Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Mayurbhanj (@mrinalikabhanjdeo) on Dec 4, 2019 at 5:58am PST Intrigue of international relations Both sisters, interested in international affairs, sustainability, tourism, entrepreneurship and policy, went to university as Davis scholars, a scholarship programme from the United World College, in the US at Bard College and University of Virginia (UVA). Akshita pursued political science and human rights with a concentration in media in conflict areas at Bard, while Mrinalika studied sociology and international relations with a certification from the McIntire School of Commerce at UVA. 5 things to know about Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha Philanthropists at heart Both their parents are active directors of the Mayurbhanj Foundation which supports local communities in the livelihood, health, arts and sports sectors. View this post on Instagram Happy happy Holi #bringingthecolourstolife #festival #familia #fam A post shared by Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Mayurbhanj (@mrinalikabhanjdeo) on Mar 20, 2019 at 11:46pm PDT Their father is involved in politics and their mother is the founder of Ek Prayaas, a non-governmental organisation for street children in Kolkata. Belgadia Palace has links with local communities, including the local leper colony and the Dokra handicraft villages, to promote business and provide a livelihood through eco-tourism. Their foundation keeps a percentage of revenue earmarked for social and environmental projects benefiting the local community throughout the year, but gives communities and craftsmen access to market linkages with travellers without middleman, so all the profits go directly to those who do the work. View this post on Instagram Bringing it all together #shiva #Shakti #universe #balance #namaste A post shared by Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Mayurbhanj (@mrinalikabhanjdeo) on Apr 4, 2019 at 4:40am PDT Getting physical Both women are national-level sportswomen in the equestrian sports of dressage and showjumping. They also took part in swimming and basketball at college. Today, Mrinalika is also a successful yoga practitioner and facilitates spiritual retreats in India and abroad. “I am a yoga teacher certified in Hatha yoga, and am very passionate about organic brands in the health and lifestyle space,” she told You & I magazine. “I have my own brand of certified organic spices called Beej. Working within the health and lifestyle industry has made me more conscious of adopting qualities that could keep one close to nature.” View this post on Instagram Shedding layers of emotions I have stored in my body over the years. Places I hate to go because the experience has been painful and at best I have just suppressed or avoided it. Over the course of my time in Bali, I was reminded that the body never lies. All those emotions I have suppressed never went any where. They are right here, pushed into different tissues in my body waiting for my attention/presence . The on going practice for me is to stay with whatever sensation arises and to see it through without any aversion . How much can I witness without catching the train and running away? A post shared by Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Mayurbhanj (@mrinalikabhanjdeo) on May 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT Through the Mayurbhanj Foundation, they also hope to sustain Mayurbhanj Chhau, a martial arts dance form, and help in the sports education of young girls. Which British royal baby looks the most fashionable and adorable? View this post on Instagram The practice of yoga inculcated in me the discipline of mastering my breath, which was the first step to learning how to control my mind. We are bombarded with external stimulation which throws us off balance, especially as we live in the digital age where our biggest health concerns are related to poor lifestyle choices. Summers is a great time to do some form of physical activity and focus on yourself, nothing should motivate you more than you! . . Taken by the amazingly talented friend of mine @musk.an.m ♥️♥️♥️ Clothes Styled and designed by @musk.an.m A post shared by Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Mayurbhanj (@mrinalikabhanjdeo) on Apr 27, 2018 at 4:27am PDT Entrepreneurial abilities After graduating, both sisters moved to New York City. Mrinalika got a job at Puig, a third-generation, family-owned luxury fashion and fragrance business based in Barcelona, while Akshita worked with the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid organisation working closely with former British parliamentarian David Miliband’s team, focusing on the Syrian refugee crisis. 5 things to know about gifted Thai princess Sirivannavari Nariratana When they returned to Orissa, the skills they acquired in New York came in handy: today, both are directors of the 200-year-old Belgadia Palace, a hotel in Mayurbhanj. The hotel adopts sustainable practices – from zero-mile farming and recycled and upcycled furniture and interiors to a towel and linen reuse programme, and low-flush toilets, sustainable luxury is the goal. Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .

The new face of India’s dynastic elites: with brains, beauty and big hearts, the princesses of Mayurbhanj are not your regular royals

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kolkata-born sisters Mrinalika M Bhanj Deo and Akshita M Bhanj Deo promote local art and culture, run a sustainable boutique palace hotel, and embrace eco-tourism

Kolkata-born sisters Mrinalika M Bhanj Deo and Akshita M Bhanj Deo promote local art and culture, run a sustainable boutique palace hotel, and embrace eco-tourism