My Journey

Rajiv Arora, was born in Jaipur in the year 1955, he comes from a family of highly educated professionals. His father was a lawyer, his uncle and aunt were doctors, both his brothers are lawyers and his Grandfather was a doctor and was honored with the title "RAISAHIB".

Educated in Jaipur itself, he did his BA (Hons.), Masters in History and MBA from Rajasthan University. He was inclined towards public life from a relatively young age. In school, he was an idol student & was encouraged by teachers to take leadership roles in school activities. In college he was first chosen as general secretary of Rajasthan College, and later nominated as President of Rajasthan University.

During the college he became the founder member of NSUI, Rajasthan. (NSUI is a student wing of the Congress Party). He was also appointed as general secretary of Youth Congress, spokesperson of the Pradesh Congress Committee and served in different capacities in the organization.

He shares an irresistible fondness for cinema since his college days & appreciates how cinema has played a key role in shaping society.

Young & ambitious Rajiv to support oneself started business of handicrafts in the name "AMRAPALI" which later on developed into jewelry business & now is a benchmark in luxury jewelry designing & a well-known brand in India - abroad- with having outlets across India, London & New York.

This gave him ample of opportunity to travel widely within the country and all around the World; helping him to understand various tribal cultures along with the modern societies worldwide. This broadened his horizon of vision which helped him in the expansion of Amrapali as well in his various endeavors to promote Rajasthan's Tourism as chairman of RTDC.

To safeguard the interests of exporters he has been chosen the President of Federation of Rajasthan Exporters for 3 terms.

To Spread Communal harmony post 2002 Communal Violence in Gujarat, Shri Sunil Dutt Ji made him (member of the board of governors) of Sadbhavana Ke Sipahi.

Now he act’s in capacity of Sadhbhavana Ke Sipahi’s President in Rajasthan.

To look after the welfare of youth, he was appointed as member of governing board of Nehru Yuva Kendra. Besides these he was also a member of Central Board of film Certification.

Arts and crafts are an invaluable part of our country's heritage. Their revival to former glory was imperative to prevent the skills form being lost for posterity. Around three decades ago, Rajiv Arora, took upon the task of ushering in a renaissance in the ancient art of jewelry making.

Connoisseur of ancient India history, he scoured the remotest parts of India in search of unique masterpieces bearing testimony to the skills of nameless craftsmen gone by. India is still a living culture with ancient and eternal designs still in use. Even today one gets to see the old technique of making ornaments in the remotest part of India.

To explore more about this, he traveled to the interiors of various states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa etc. This also gave an insight to the various rituals, religions and costumes about each clan, which in turn has an impact on the jewelry designs of the respective tribes.

During his expeditions he found some interesting pieces which were rare to find, combination of two elements / metals like silver and copper or silver and bone. He started collecting and restoring them to their former grandeur.
However, with the kings and kingdoms gradually vanishing, the art of jewelry making declined for want of appreciative support. Rajiv Arora, implemented the traditional way of making jewelry which in turn has provided employment to over 1500 workers in and around Jaipur.

He was one of the first persons to start exporting silver jewelry from Rajasthan and today almost 50% of silver exports of the country are from Rajasthan.

Sadbhavna ke Sipahi a forum aimed at promoting Social Unity was launched by Shri Sunil Dutt Ji to spread a message of peace, harmony and Brotherhood.
Rajiv Arora was chosen as Coordinator of the Rajasthan State for Sadbhavna Ke Sipahi. Soon after his appointment, he organized Sadhbhavna Abhiyan in Rajasthan, which was held from 23 to 30 June 2003.
Along with Shri Sunil Dutt Ji Sadbhavna Abhiyan started off from Alwar and went on to 5 districts of Rajasthan. During this event, various activities like Rallies, meetings, cultural programs were arranged to promote love, peace, communal harmony and brotherhood amongst people.