New Delhi:
The country’s biggest saints and economists are present together on one stage in the ‘NDTV Conclave’ on the country’s biggest event ‘Mahakumbh’ going on in Prayagraj. These saints and economists are giving their views on the economic aspect of Mahakumbh and its impact. During the ‘Maha Kumbh of Faith on Nature’ session, Swami Vishal Anand (Head of Program Coordinator of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan), Aseem Arun (Minister of Social Welfare and SC-ST Welfare, UP) and Mangal Prabhag Lodha (Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) ) joined in.
Fair means social interaction and making new relationships.
Swami Vishal Anand gave the example of other events like World Cup on Mahakumbh Mela and said that its long term impact is visible. The fair does not just end there. Fair means meeting of people and forming new relationships. This means, where new relationships are formed and new discussions take place. New collaborations happen. All these things keep happening and increasing continuously. Maha Kumbh will give a new dimension to India’s spiritual tourism.
What did Swami Vishal Anand say on the question of business in Mahakumbh?
On the matter of separation and meeting during Kumbh, Swami Vishal Anand said that this is just a narrative. The meaning of fair is to meet. Mahakumbh is considered a symbol of the spiritual splendor of India. In the last few years, business related to spirituality has increased a lot. How can he expand further? In response to this question, Swami Vishal Anand said that you call it business but it is our culture. Wherever religion comes, we apply meaning there. On the question of big Mahatmas calling going to Kumbh, setting up tents, renting tents, telling stories as business to many people, he said that all this is a part of tourism, it should be looked at differently.
How rich is India’s economy?
If you look back in our culture, none of our gods and goddesses will be seen in torn clothes. They are laden with diamonds and jewels. This is our economy and the economy of India. It plays only in gold and silver. India was not called the golden bird for nothing. Our gods and goddesses also used to wear diamonds and jewels. We don’t have any organs here. Where it is written in our scriptures that to whom does wealth belong? If we start with the Vedas, the first verse in the first Upanishad is that if God is present everywhere, then enjoy the world with a sacrificial spirit. Whose wealth is this? On this, the Vedic sage replied that the resources belong to God. If we look at political people, they used to say that someone else has the first right on resources. But our Vedas say that the first and last right on resources belongs only to God. Those resources should be used for God’s work. Mining exploitation is not the culture and tradition of India. This has come from outside. The tradition of India is to extract from nature and offer it to nature only.
Understand the supply chain of Aquarius
How can employment be increased by connecting with this tradition of India? How can this be taken further? In response to this, Swami Vishal Anand said that many people are getting employment from Mahakumbh, tourism is increasing a lot. For this 45 day programme, 13 thousand new trains have been run across the country. If it is being called Digital Kumbh then it does not only mean computers. A complete network of technology has been laid to provide train services. A new network of 13 thousand new trains has been laid, so that connectivity can be achieved from one place to another. This time is no less than a litmus test for those building roads. A state highway has also been built in UP. How many people are directly and indirectly connected with it, even if it is a hotel. This is the entire supply chain.
Development begins but does not end
How many new people are joining the supply chain of hotels, trains and airlines. Whenever development happens it does not end. According to the report of an IAS Academy, this time there is going to be a transaction of two and a half to three lakh crores in Mahakumbh. The government will take a tax of Rs 25-30 thousand crores on this. The government will definitely get back the investment from this amount.
