Ahmedabad:
The organization of ‘Maha Kumbh 2025’ is going on in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Lakhs of devotees are coming every day to the Mahakumbh which started from January 13. Adani Group is doing Mahaprasad Seva in collaboration with ISKCON in Mahakumbh. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani had reached Mahakumbh with his wife Preeti Adani on 21 January. During this time, he also served Prasad after the puja at Sangam. Now he has written a blog on Mahakumbh on Monday. In his blog written on LinkedIn platform, Gautam Adani explained how Mahakumbh shows the story of leadership of India’s spiritual infrastructure. Read Gautam Adani’s complete blog:-
Kumbh Mela cannot be compared with anything in the vast spectrum of human gathering. As a company we are deeply associated with the Maha Kumbh Mela this year. Whenever I discuss this topic, I am humbled by the perspective of our ancestors. As a person who has built ports, airports and energy networks across India, I am amazed to see the massive event of Maha Kumbh. For me this is ‘spiritual infrastructure’. This is a force that has maintained our civilization for centuries.
Mahakumbh is probably the world’s largest management case study
When Harvard Business School studied the management of the Kumbh Mela, they were surprised by its scale. As an Indian, I see something profound in this religious event: The world’s most successful pop-up megacity is not just about numbers. It is about the eternal principles that we try to adopt at Adani Group. Consider this: Every 12 years, a temporary city larger than New York is built on the banks of sacred rivers. There is no board meeting for this. There is no power point presentation. There is no venture capital. Looks like pure, time-tested Indian jugaad (innovation), backed by centuries of learning.
Mahakumbh 3 pillars of leadership
1. Scale with soul
In Aquarius, the scale is not just size. This scale is about the impact of this event. When a group of 20 crore people comes together with dedication and service, it becomes not just an event but a unique spiritual gathering. When 20 crore people come together with dedication and service, it is not just an event but a unique confluence of souls. This is what I call ‘spiritual economies of scale’. The bigger it gets, the more efficient it becomes. It is big not only from the physical point of view but also from the human and humanity point of view. This scale is not measured in any matrix, but in moments of unity.
2. Sustainable is better than sustainability
Before ESG became a topic of discussion in boardrooms, the Kumbh Mela practiced circular economy principles. The river is not just a source of water, it is also the flow of life. Preserving it is a testament to our ancient knowledge. The same river that hosts millions of people returns to its natural state after Kumbh. But before leaving, it purifies the souls of lakhs of devotees. Assures him that he can cleanse himself of all his impurities. Perhaps there is a lesson here for our modern development paradigm. After all, progress is not in what we take from the earth, but in how we give it back.
3. Leadership through service
The most powerful aspect? Lack of single controlling authority. True leadership does not lie in giving orders, but in the ability to take everyone along. Various Akharas, local officials and volunteers work in harmony. This is leadership through service. There is no dominance anywhere in this. This teaches us that great leaders do not command or control. They create conditions for others to work together and move forward collectively. Service is meditation, service is prayer and service is God.
What does Kumbh teach global business?
India aims to create a 10 trillion dollar economy. Viewed from this perspective, the Kumbh Mela provides unique insights:
1. Inclusive development
The Maha Kumbh Mela going on in Prayagraj welcomes everyone. Everyone is welcome here, from monks to CEOs, villagers to foreign tourists. This is the best example of what we at Adani Group call ‘Growth with Good’.
2. Spiritual Technology
Because we pride ourselves on digital innovation. In such a situation, Aquarius also shows us spiritual technology. Systems have been demonstrated for the management of human consciousness on a large scale. This soft infrastructure is as important as physical infrastructure in an era where the biggest threat is mental illness!
3. Cultural confidence
In the age of global homogenization, Kumbh stands as cultural authenticity. This is not a museum piece, but a living example of tradition adapted to modernity.
Is our future ancient?
When I pass by our ports or solar farms, I often reflect on the lessons of Kumbh. Our ancient civilization did not just build monuments, it created living systems that sustain millions of people. This is what we should aspire to in modern India. We have to nurture the ecosystem along with the infrastructure. Kumbh celebrates India’s unique soft power i.e. ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam!’ represents. It’s not just about hosting the world’s largest gathering. It is about demonstrating an enduring model of human organization that has survived across centuries.
leadership challenge
So for modern leaders, Aquarius poses a deep question: Can we create organizations that will last not just for years, but for centuries? Can our systems handle not only scale, but also soul? The lessons of Aquarius are more relevant than ever in the age of AI, climate crisis and social fragmentation. These include all of the following:
– Sustainable resource management.
– Harmonious public cooperation.
– Technology with human touch.
– Leadership through service.
– Scale without losing soul.
the way forward
As India moves towards becoming a superpower, we must remember that our strength lies not just in what we create, but also in what we preserve. Kumbh is not just a religious event. This is a blueprint for a sustainable civilization. For me, this is a reminder that the real scale is not measured in the balance sheet, but in the positive impact on human consciousness.
In Kumbh we see the soft power of India. A power that lies not in victory, but in consciousness. Not in dominance, but in service. India’s true strength lies in its soul, where development is not just economic strength; Rather, it is a confluence of human consciousness and service. The lesson Aquarius teaches us is that true legacy lies not in the structures built, but in the consciousness we create. This consciousness flourishes for centuries.
So the next time you hear about India’s growth story, remember that our most successful project is not a giant port or a renewable energy park. Our most successful project is a spiritual gathering, which has been running successfully for centuries. Serving millions of people without depleting resources or losing its soul. This is the story of real India. The world needs this leadership lesson now.
(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)