Global researchers descend on Maha Kumbh for in-depth studies

New Delhi: The 45-day Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious and cultural event, will begin on Monday in Prayagraj, attracting researchers from prominent national and international universities and institutions. These researchers will study various aspects of the mass gathering and prepare reports accordingly.

These institutions include Harvard University, Stanford University, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) from Ahmedabad, Indore, and Bengaluru, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) from Kanpur and Ahmedabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, and AIIMS Delhi, among others.
The representatives of these institutes will conduct in-depth studies on multiple topics including event management, socio-economic impact, environmental challenges, tourism, health management, and the use of digital technology.

Officials believe that the findings of this research will not only improve the organisation of the Maha Kumbh for the future but also offer insights into the social and economic effects on Prayagraj and the entire state.

The political implications of the Maha Kumbh are also significant, as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to showcase the successful execution of the Maha Kumbh as one of his most significant achievements, and position himself for a larger, national role. Many BJP supporters see him as a potential successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the time comes.

Ahead of the Maha Kumbh, the government of Uttar Pradesh had invited proposals from researchers and academicians, and set two main categories for the study: the planning and implementation of the Maha Kumbh, and the economic impact and outcomes of the event. Researchers were asked to submit Expression of Interest by December 20. The goal is to present the Maha Kumbh to the world through the reports prepared by these academic institutions.

The research topics were divided into multiple broad categories, including crowd management and security strategies, the impact of cultural nationalism, tourism promotion, the use of digital technologies such as biometrics, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity, health management, disaster management, environmental studies, and urban infrastructure development.
Additionally, institutions were invited to conduct economic studies analysing government spending, regional employment opportunities, and the spending by tourists.

Official sources aware of the development told The Sunday Guardian that representatives from Harvard University will conduct anthropological studies and research on food distribution and urban infrastructure management for participants.

Ahmedabad University will study the anthropological aspects of the Maha Kumbh, while Lucknow University will focus on pilgrimage and sacred geography.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will study tourism, the role of media, and best practices in social media management, while Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will research the socio-cultural impact and economic outcomes of the event. Delhi University will examine the philosophical and national unity aspects of the Maha Kumbh.

The teams from Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Bangalore and Ahmedabad will focus on strategic management, planning, and urban infrastructure management, while the team from Lucknow University will analyse the strategic planning and operation of the workforce.

In terms of health and disaster management, AIIMS Delhi will assess the preparedness of the health system for emergency medical responses, as well as the opportunities and challenges in the tuberculosis (TB) elimination program. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will research the role of social media in the use of digital technology.

Similarly, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will focus on the environmental documentation of the Maha Kumbh, while IIT Madras will assess water and waste management.

IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad will analyse the challenges of transport and traffic management. Stanford University (in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) will study the economic and social impact, while the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) will assess the economic impact of Maha Kumbh.

Sources said that the representatives of these institutions are already in Prayagraj to begin their research.

Dr Sanjay K. Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and Editor of the prestigious WHO-South East Asia Journal of Public Health, leading a multidisciplinary team for research on health-related issues at the Maha Kumbh Mela, told The Sunday Guardian that the event, which 30-40 crore people are expected to attend, presents a significant research opportunity for experts.

“Our team comprises 21 members, including six doctors, with one of them stationed in the field at any all times. With an expected attendance of 30-40 crore pilgrims, there are numerous research opportunities, particularly concerning the health of the attendees. I am the Principal Investigator, and with my expertise in community medicine, I will focus on health challenges at the event. We will also provide timely responses to health-related concerns during the Mela. We plan to submit our findings in a comprehensive report once the Mela concludes,” Rai said.

Designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017, the Maha Kumbh is set to be supported by over R. 7,000 crores in state government funding for its 2025 preparation, which includes the creation of a temporary city at Sangam to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims.

This “kinetic city,” built with tents, pontoons, and bamboo structures, will be dismantled once the event concludes. It will function as a bustling hub during the Mela, featuring spaces for accommodation, food distribution, healthcare, and public gatherings, waste management and transportation.

This academic research is expected to offer deep insights into the logistical, cultural, social, and economic dimensions of the Maha Kumbh, shedding light how such a monumental event is planned and executed.