NDTV commemorated the Mahakumbh with Mahakumbh Samvaad, a special program featuring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During the exclusive interview with NDTV’s Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia at Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath praised Uttar Pradesh’s remarkable progress, highlighting its rise as a key growth engine for India’s development.
“Uttar Pradesh has become the growth engine for India.” He pointed to how events like Mahakumbh not only reflect the state’s cultural grandeur but also provide an opportunity for sustainable development. Speaking on his government’s initiatives for youth empowerment, the Chief Minister shared a significant achievement: “We gave government jobs to 7 lakh youths in Uttar Pradesh,” Yogi Adityanath stated, underscoring his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities and fostering growth in the state.
Reflecting on the preparations undertaken for Mahakumbh 2025, Yogi Adityanath detailed the measures implemented to address challenges identified during the Ardha Kumbh in 2019. “When we organised the Kumbh in 2019, we reviewed media reports and identified issues like hygiene, river cleanliness, and infrastructure gaps. Since then, we have worked systematically to improve all aspects of the event.”
Speaking on the inclusivity and spiritual significance of the Mahakumbh, Yogi Adityanath said, “This is a Maha Parv. You must have seen on January 14, nearly six crore devotees took a dip in the Sangam. This message of unity was given by Mahakumbh. There was no discrimination. People who used to criticise Sanatana Dharma say they have come to see this”
The ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, which began on January 13 and will continue until February 26, has already drawn over 12 crore devotees from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to the sacred Triveni Sangam.
While listing out the arrangements made by his government, the CM quoted “This year, we built 14 underpasses and flyovers, expanded the civil terminal and improved the connectivity. For the mela, which is on 10,000 acres, we allocated an additional 5,000 acres for parking”.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also lauded NDTV for its programming planned around the Mahakumbh. “I would like to congratulate the NDTV team for ensuring accuracy in its coverage of the Mahakumbh. I would also like to applaud the viewers of NDTV network who have access to a special spectacular coverage of such a prestigious and pious occasion,” he said while also appreciating the media for effectively portraying the event’s grandeur and spiritual message. “The media has worked positively to take this message to the world,” he said.
The program was graced by esteemed personalities, including Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Rakesh Sinha, Former MP Rajya Sabha, Prashant Kumar, DGP, UP Police, Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, UP Government, and Mukesh Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Culture, UP Government, who shared their insights on the Mahakumbh.
Reflecting on the essence of spirituality, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar remarked, “Spirituality is an integral aspect of life. Our self-awareness allows us to transcend mortality, for consciousness itself is eternal. It is essential to liberate ourselves from stress in every sphere of life and approach all endeavors with peace and patience.”
On the occasion, NDTV’s Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia, quoted “The Mahakumbh 2025 is an unprecedented spectacle of grandeur, unlike anything we have witnessed before. Hearing directly from the Hon’ble CM, Yogi Adityanath about his vision, the planning and the efforts to bring about this scale in the most meticulous manner was truly insightful.”