Coldplay to Kumbh

2.2.2025

In 17 years, I still haven’t given up hope of him surprising me with a romantic gesture like bringing home two tickets of the concert for him and me. And he did. He always does manage to shock me. He got home tickets to Prayagraj for the Kumbh.

Coldplay to Kumbh

Months ago, when the Coldplay concert was first announced, I had expressed my excitement to my darling husband. For someone who is least interested in concerts or clubs, his reactions were a medley of words like too many people, disorganised, traffic, chaos, humidity -which basically equals to no.

In 17 years, I still haven’t given up hope of him surprising me with a romantic gesture like bringing home two tickets of the concert for him and me. And he did. He always does manage to shock me. He got home tickets to Prayagraj for the Kumbh.

Initially, for the Kumbh, in my head, all the adjectives I applied to Coldplay seemed to fit right in -too many people, disorganised, traffic, chaos. But then there were additional thoughts like once in a lifetime, Ganga snan, healing, happiness and religious.

Traditional and social media have surely played a huge part in creating this absolute FOMO amongst people to attend either of the two events. While precious pictures of the Kumbh Mela show a fraction of people on the bank and free-flowing Ganges, today there seems to be a larger flow of people than the Ganga. Most of us were there from the fear of losing out on opportunity, since the Maha Kumbh will now be hosted only 144 years later. Surely, none of us will exist then. Once in a lifetime… yeah! Coldplay will perform again next year.

It was fascinating to be at the Kumbh Mela, to see the gigantic infrastructure set up for throngs of devotees flocking each day to the banks of the Ganga.Both events -Coldplay and the Kumbh Mela -drew a tonne of attention and resources. But 40 crore people entering a city has to be the biggest boost an economy can get. Religious tourism is probably the next move in the government’s toolkit. I am sure it’s coming closer to us too. It must as well for surging the trickle-down effect into the economy. But it does come with nuisance of crowds into your city. Walking, screaming, spitting, dumping trash, violating spaces, along with theft, loss, invited experiences.

India needs to prepare for such large-scale events through civic education. Through lessons in discipline, patience and respect. Through basic infrastructure and upgraded facilities, else we will end up in more fiascos and bigger problems. Without educating, we are cashing in on people’s blind faith and allowing them to be ripped off by conmen and culprits. Alongside prepping a lucrative playing field for scams and more.

India is surely a land of immense potential but a lot of work is pending. From infrastructure to education, everything needs to be developed hand in hand. Empathy and kindness, simple lessons in pause and patience along with robust arrangements matching the number of visitors expected whilst not being an inconvenience to the residents.

Sincerely urging the government to do this in a planned way. So that next time I say concert, my hubby has no excuse left but to take me -or for me to be sure that I am safe and comfortable that I confidently just go myself.