The Kumbh Global Summit showcased Bharat’s unity, faith, and organisational excellence during the Maha Kumbh.
NEW DELHI: The India Foundation organised the Kumbh Global Summit on Development and Sustainability from February 21. The event was meticulously planned, with Prayagraj chosen as the location to align with the Summit’s theme of Development and Sustainability. It also provided delegates, many from abroad, a chance to experience Bharat and to partake in the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during this rare occasion, which happens only once every 144 years. While planning the Summit, there were concerns that the large crowds during the Maha Kumbh might hinder the event. Therefore, it was scheduled for the concluding phase of the Maha Kumbh, on the assumption that the turnout would significantly decrease by then. That assumption turned out to be entirely inaccurate. The crowds only increased each day, but in the end, that did not matter. The Global Summit was attended by over 150 delegates from across Bharat and the world, including representatives from 16 countries and 10 ministers from nine countries.
I took an Indigo flight to Prayagraj, departing Delhi on February 20 at 8:30 pm. I later learnt that Indigo was running 24 flights daily to Prayagraj to cater for the rush. There were other airlines, too, so the small Prayagraj airport was crowded. But they coped magnificently with the rush. By 10 pm, we were on the bus, but it took about 2 hours to reach Aagman, the tented camping site on the banks of the Ganga River. En route, the road was filled with devotees, all walking to the ghats or some night shelter. They were mainly family groups: women and children, the elderly and the young, each imbued with an indescribable ‘Aastha’ or faith. Watching the flow of humanity was indeed a humbling experience.
The Summit was scheduled for the afternoon, so we gathered the following morning in Aagman for the bus journey to the Triveni Sangam. All time schedules went awry—the human traffic was so intense that vehicular movement could not be coordinated. Traffic flowed in spurts. It did not matter which road we turned our gaze to—each was filled with people, all moving towards fulfilling something intrinsic to their core beliefs. There was no jostling, shouting, tension, or irritation despite the hours of walking with the morning sun beating down harshly on the devotees. They were moving for a higher purpose, which gave them the strength to endure the hours of walking, their belongings carried in bags or bundles on their heads. Little children walked with their parents, and toddlers sat on their parents’ laps. Men and women, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, were all on the roads, united in one common purpose.
At the Triveni Sangam, the crowds took one’s breath away. As far as the eyes could see, multitudes thronged the site on both banks of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers. There were thousands of small boats, each ferrying about a dozen or so people, spread over the vast expanse of the river. At the riverbank, numerous stalls sold flowers, coconuts, and other items for puja. Many were taking the holy dip. The sheer magnitude of the crowds was awe-inspiring. But despite the hordes at both riverbanks, there was an air of serenity. There was no littering, the crowds were calm and patient, and people awaited their turn to take the holy dip. As an example of collective action for a spiritual cause, the scene was awe-inspiring.
We boarded a barge that swiftly took us to the holy site. There, I immersed myself in the Triveni Sangam, feeling pure bliss. The lengthy wait, the throngs of people, and the obstacles we faced to arrive here faded into the background, replaced by overwhelming ecstasy and joy. For me and others, a profound sense of fulfilment enveloped us, sparking feelings of rejuvenation and connection. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I feel blessed to have had this opportunity.
We asked a family that had walked for over nine hours about their experience. They said they felt blessed. Their faces radiated joy. There was no fatigue, and they were happy with the arrangements. This was a typical story everywhere we went.
A foreign dignitary, a minister from a Pacific nation within our group, remarked, “I have encountered more people today than we have in my entire country.”
All the foreign dignitaries immersed themselves in the Triveni Sangam and felt truly blessed.
When we were preparing to leave after the Kumbh Global Summit, I met a young lady who had just arrived from the airport at the tent camping site. She had come alone from Chennai and planned to leave after participating in the holy dip the following day. Lacking a taxi from the airport, she hopped onto the backseat of a motorcycle, reaching the campsite in a few hours. Her faith was inspiring. I saw this in my three days at the Maha Kumbh—the remarkable faith of millions of people from all parts of the country. Their love and devotion were truly humbling, reflecting Bharat’s core unity. If Bharat can do this, we can do anything.
The people of Prayagraj deserve a bow. For 45 days, they graciously and equanimously hosted at least a quarter of Bharat’s population, if not more.
As one participant observed, “The lines were long, but the people were warm and welcoming.”
Arrangements for food and water were abundant, and special care was taken for security and cleanliness. CM Yogi Adityanath and his government deserve praise for conducting a near-flawless event of a magnitude never seen before in history. This speaks highly of the Chief Minister’s organisational skills, the bandwidth of his government, and his administration’s dedication. The local administration at Prayagraj, the police personnel, and the safai karamcharis deserve special praise for their dedication and commitment.
The Maha Kumbh symbolises the awakening of Bharat. I was blessed to be one of the crores who came to Prayagraj on this auspicious occasion. Har Har Mahadev.
* Maj. Gen. Dhruv C. Katoch is an Army veteran. Presently, he is the Director of the India Foundation.