New Delhi, Feb 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the recently concluded Maha Kumbh as a reflection of India's awakened national consciousness, likening the event to a country breaking free from a colonial mindset and embracing its cultural heritage with renewed vigor.
In a blog post a day after the grand religious congregation concluded, Modi called the Maha Kumbh a "mahayagna of unity", emphasizing that India must now march forward with self-confidence and collective strength to achieve the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Record-Breaking Devotee Participation
The Prime Minister highlighted the unprecedented turnout at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj, stating that more devotees than anticipated took the holy dip. The Uttar Pradesh government confirmed that over 65 crore pilgrims visited the site since the Maha Kumbh commenced on January 13.Despite extensive arrangements, at least 30 devotees lost their lives in a stampede, underscoring the scale and challenges of managing such a massive event.
Tribute to Organizers and Apology for Shortcomings
Acknowledging the enormity of the organizational effort, Modi expressed gratitude to everyone involved—sanitation workers, police personnel, boatmen, drivers, and cooks—for their relentless dedication. He also extended a personal apology to Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, Mother Saraswati, and devotees, for any shortcomings in the services provided.Praising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Modi, who represents the state as an MP, lauded the collective efforts of the government, administration, and the people in ensuring the event’s success.
Maha Kumbh: A Case Study in Mega-Event Management
Modi emphasized that the Maha Kumbh has now become a subject of study for management professionals, policy planners, and scholars, as there is no comparable event of such scale in the world."When a nation’s consciousness awakens, when it shatters the chains of centuries of servitude, an unparalleled spectacle emerges—this is what we witnessed in the Maha Kumbh of unity," he remarked.
He further highlighted that this particular Maha Kumbh was unique, occurring after 144 years, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s development journey.
A Unifying Force Across Faiths and Generations
The Prime Minister noted that people from across regions, castes, and ideologies, including those from abroad, participated in the event. The faith of 140 crore Indians converged at this grand congregation, a number nearly double the population of the United States, he emphasized.Modi also expressed his delight at the presence of young devotees, stating that their participation reinforced his belief in India's youth as torchbearers of cultural and spiritual traditions.
Maha Kumbh and the Ramayana Connection
Reflecting on the spiritual and historical significance of Prayagraj, Modi invoked an episode from the Ramayana, where boatmen king Nishad Raaj met Lord Ram near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. He remarked that just as in ancient times, today's Maha Kumbh continued to bring people together in a spirit of unity and devotion.Strengthening Resolve for Clean Rivers
Concluding his message, Modi reaffirmed his commitment to river conservation, emphasizing that the purity of the Ganga, Yamuna, and other rivers is intrinsically tied to the well-being of millions. He vowed to strengthen efforts to ensure clean and sustainable river ecosystems.With the Maha Kumbh 2025 now etched in history as one of the largest spiritual gatherings ever, Modi called upon the nation to harness this collective energy for the mission of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’—a developed, self-reliant India.
Last updated by a enewsx:
