After recently visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, billionaire Gautam Adani shared on Monday that the world’s largest human gathering is more than just a religious event—it serves as a model for sustainable civilization.
“As India strides toward becoming a global supe
rpower, we must remember that our strength lies not only in what we create but in what we conserve,” he remarked. “The Kumbh is not merely a religious gathering; it is a blueprint for sustainable civilization.”
In a LinkedIn blog post, he highlighted that the Kumbh Mela is a reminder that true scale is not reflected in financial metrics, but in the positive impact it has on human consciousness.
“That’s the real story of India. That’s the leadership lesson the world needs right now,” he remarked.
While highlighting that Harvard Business School, in its analysis of the Kumbh Mela’s logistical marvel, was astonished by its scale, he emphasized that, for him, the gathering holds a much deeper meaning. “The world’s most successful temporary megacity isn’t merely about the numbers—it reflects enduring principles that we, at the Adani Group, strive to embrace.”
“Consider this: Every 12 years, a temporary city larger than New York rises on the banks of sacred rivers. No board meetings. No PowerPoint slides. No venture capital. Just pure, time-tested Indian innovation, built upon centuries of shared wisdom,” he concluded.
At the Kumbh, scale is not just about size, but about the impact it creates. “When 200 million people come together with dedication and service, it’s not just an event—it’s a rare gathering of souls. This is what I call ‘spiritual economies of scale.’ The larger it grows, the more efficient it becomes, not only in material terms but in human and humanitarian terms. True scale is measured not in numbers, but in the moments of unity it fosters.”
He also pointed out that long before ESG became a popular buzzword in boardrooms, the Kumbh Mela had already been practicing circular economy principles. He added that the most powerful element of this gathering is the lack of a single controlling authority.