Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
AT THE Maha Kumbh Mela in India's Prayagraj, modern technology is being used to enhance traditional practices. Chai Point, in collaboration with the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), has introduced robotic tea-making stalls at the event.
These automated tea stations aim to serve over one crore cups of chai throughout the Mela. The tea is prepared using Nandini brand milk, and organisers plan to set a Guinness World Record for the most cups served at a single event. Despite having only 10 stalls, each can serve thousands of cups daily to meet the demand of millions of visitors.
Harvard Business School Professor Tarun Khanna, who is attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, highlighted the use of technology at the event. Writing in his blog, Khanna described how state-of-the-art robots are preparing and serving chai, ensuring consistency, quality, and affordability.
"The chai is being made by a state-of-the-art robotic tea machine, ensuring quality and affordability," he wrote. Khanna was impressed by the efficiency and scale of the operation in a setting where millions of people gather.
Beyond the tea stalls, Khanna also noted the extensive security arrangements at the Mela. He observed that India's para-commandos were deployed for crowd management, supported by a high-tech surveillance system. This includes a NASA-style control room, drones, and distributed sensors designed to monitor the large crowds and help authorities address any issues.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, shared Khanna’s observations on social media, emphasising the combination of tradition and technology at the event. He quoted Khanna’s description of the Maha Kumbh Mela as "the world's largest gathering of humanity," with an expected attendance of 250 million people over several weeks.
Professor Tarun Khanna of the Harvard Business School @TarunKhannaHBS is at the Maha Kumbh
His daily observations provide a fascinating view into the happenings there….
This blog edition was particularly interesting and worth sharing with you all…
The peak daily footfall is projected to reach 50 million, and the event is being hosted in a temporary megacity set up for the occasion.
Chai Point also shared its perspective on its participation at the Mela through its official Instagram handle.
The company stated, "At Chai Point, we don’t just serve chai; we are in the business of fuelling India’s aspirations one cup at a time. And there’s no better place to showcase our scale and impact than the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest human gathering—a once-in-144-years phenomenon. We’re not just participating; we’re leading. And our ‘Chai Point at Mahakumbh’ series documents this journey."
The company also announced the launch of a film in the series titled Finding the Chai, which explores locations where Chai Point is serving tea and fostering a sense of community.
Chai Point emphasised that the Maha Kumbh represents chai at an unprecedented scale, and the company is equipped to handle such an event. The company also acknowledged its official partners: Britannia Good Day as the brand partner, KMF Nandini as the dairy partner, and Goeld Frozen Food as the menu partner.
Additionally, Chai Point announced, "We’re honoured to announce that Chai Point is here to serve warmth and energy to millions who converge at the sacred Triveni Sangam over the next 45 days. With our presence across 9 strategic locations at the Kumbh grounds, the perfect cup of chai is never too far from you. This isn’t just another milestone for us – it’s an opportunity to serve our ‘India runs on Chai’ philosophy at the heart of India’s cultural heritage. Stay tuned for more updates as we share stories from this incredible gathering."
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is being held from 13 January to 26 February in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
A BRITISH Indian charity is building a sports and community complex in west London to strengthen local cultural ties. The project, known as the India Gardens Sports and Community Complex, is being developed by Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (SKLPC) UK and is scheduled to open in June 2027, a statement said.
The 18-acre site in Northolt, valued at £1.1 million, has been designed as a modern hub for education, sport and social activities.
Approved by the Ealing council in 2018, it is one of the largest community-led developments of its kind in the area.
Once complete, India Gardens will provide 34,000 sq ft of internal facilities, including a cricket pavilion, sports hall, nursery, members’ lounge and multi-purpose spaces for weddings, exhibitions and cultural gatherings, the statement added. Outdoor areas will feature landscaped gardens, walking routes and sports fields.
SKLPC UK said the centre will serve both its 25,000 members from London and beyond, and it will also open its doors to schools, clubs and residents.
It described India Gardens as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to celebrate shared roots, while creating a space for learning and recreation.
Founded in 1972 by members of the Kutch Leva Patel community, SKLPC UK began as a group of migrants who met to preserve their traditions and mutual support networks.
The organisation opened its first Samaj Hall in West Hendon in 1980 and now operates centres in Bolton, Oldham, Cardiff and London. Over the decades, SKLPC UK has combined cultural work with philanthropy, raising more than £1.75m for disaster relief and charitable causes, including more than £1m for victims of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat. It continues to promote education and welfare initiatives such as its Saturday school and the Vadil Sammelan, launched in 2024 to support senior citizens.
The India Gardens project symbolises its commitment to community service and intergeneration engagement in Britain, the charity said.
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