Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious festival, witnessing millions of devotees. Being densely populated, the festival becomes challenging for elderly and specially-abled devotees to walk the last mile to the banks of the river for their holy dip. Further, with no public transportation allowed on this stretch, devotees are left with no choice but to walk the path. This causes a lot of discomfort to the elderly devotees.
Facilitated by Tata Salt, volunteers stepped in to aid and provide comfort to all such devotees, by sending its ‘Kumbh Kay Shravan’. Taking inspiration from Hindu mythology, Ramayana where Shravan Kumar carried his specially-abled and elderly parents to 40 pilgrimages on his back; this huge team of ‘Kumbh Kay Shravan’ assisted elderly devotees with mobility difficulties at the Kumbh festival.
A customized coach, ‘Seva Vaahan’ was built to ensure the safety and comfort of the devotees, which was lifted by ‘Kumbh Kay Shravan’, ferrying the elderly devotees for the holy dip.
Talking to Financial Express Online, ‘Kumbh ka Shravan’ Ramprasad Shukla said, “I feel proud that I could be a part of this great initiative. This has really made a big difference in the life of elderlies by helping them reach Sangam for the holy dip. I fortunate to be a part of Kumbh kay Shravan initiative.”
Not only did these ‘Shravans’ help elderly complete the last mile, but they also handed them a ‘Daan Kalash’ containing salt and uncooked grains to be given as charity to the less fortunate ones. This act of giving charity of food supplies and salt is the final ritual to be followed to successfully complete the spiritual journey.
Another Kumbh ak Shravan Dinesh Yadav told Financial Express Online that it was a privilege that he could become a part of Kumbh kay Shravan initiative. “It feels great to be a part a service to help the elders at Kumbh. Servicing the elder makes me feel as if I am servicing my own parents and I am thankful that I could do this.”
An innovative yet simple solution for a complex problem gave way for “Kumbh Kay Shravan” aiding elderly devotees complete the last mile of their spiritual journey.
Commenting on this initiative, Mr. Sagar Boke, Head, Marketing, Consumer Product Business, Tata Chemicals Ltd., said, “Kumbh is a very auspicious occasion where pilgrims from across the country come to take a dip in the holy Ganges. The elderly and disabled face challenges to cover the end mile distance where no vehicles are allowed. We helped and facilitated this last mile journey thereby engaging with consumers in an interesting manner.”
Pradyumn Tandon, Founder & MD, The Brand Brewery – who conceptualized and executed the initiative said, “It’s a delight to work for Kumbh Mela. It was our privilege to be part of this campaign.”