ITV

Tag: Kumbh Mela 2025

  • VI’s people-first initiative helps reunite families at Kumbh Mela

    VI’s people-first initiative helps reunite families at Kumbh Mela

    MUMBAI: At every Kumbh Mela, thousands of people become separated from their families in the vast crowds. In 2013, around 70,000 individuals were reported lost at Prayagraj Kumbh. This year presents similar challenges, with over 250 people reportedly lost within the first few hours of the event’s opening day.

    To address this issue, India’s leading telecom operator, VI, has introduced the ‘VI Number Rakshak’ initiative, ensuring that no one feels lost or disconnected. Recognising that many, especially the elderly and children, may not own mobile phones or struggle to recall contact numbers, VI has set up a dedicated booth near Swami Ramanand Acharya Shibir akhada.

    At this booth, pilgrims can receive complimentary Rudraksh and Tulsi bracelets engraved with emergency contact numbers of family members or companions. This simple yet effective solution provides a reliable means of reconnecting without the need for mobile phones or internet access.

    Speaking on the initiative, VI chief marketing officer Avneesh Khosla highlighted the company’s commitment to people-first solutions. “VI Number Rakshak showcases how the simplest ideas can make a significant impact. We are not just a telecom provider, but a people-first partner, ensuring connectivity when it matters most,” he said.

    VI Number Rakshak aligns with VI’s broader philosophy of ‘Be Someone’s We’, which promotes fostering connections and collective care—previously highlighted in campaigns addressing urban loneliness among youth and senior citizens.

    In addition, VI has significantly bolstered its network infrastructure at the Maha Kumbh, installing 30 new sites at Triveni Sangam, along with 40 high-powered small-cell and macro sites across key locations. The company has also deployed 32 km of fibre to enhance backhaul connectivity, ensuring seamless voice calls, uninterrupted video streaming, and high-speed data access for VI users in the densely crowded areas.
     

  • Swiggy Instamart’s life-sized pin becomes the ultimate Kumbh landmark

    Swiggy Instamart’s life-sized pin becomes the ultimate Kumbh landmark

    MUMBAI: The Maha Kumbh Mela-a breathtaking convergence of faith, devotion, and, let’s be honest, a logistical nightmare when it comes to keeping track of loved ones. With millions in attendance, finding your way back in the sea of humanity is no easy feat. But worry not! Swiggy Instamart has swooped in with a game-changing solution—turning its life-sized S-pin logo into a one-of-a-kind lost-and-found landmark at Triveni Sangam.

    At the heart of the Kumbh, Swiggy Instamart has set up a dedicated stall, ensuring devotees have easy access to essentials-towels, power banks, torches, batteries, and more. Whether you need to charge your phone, light your way, or dry off after a holy dip, Swiggy’s got you covered. The demand has been soaring, with thousands of visitors relying on the stall for last-minute must-haves.

    But here’s the real crowd-pleaser: Swiggy Instamart’s signature S-pin installation isn’t just for show—it’s a lifeline. Lost your family in the throng? No worries! Scan the QR code at the pin, save the location, and voilà—you’ll always know where to find your way back. In a place where getting separated is almost a rite of passage, Swiggy Instamart has turned its branding into a practical, tongue-in-cheek solution.

    Swiggy Instamart

    “Bichhad gaye toh Swiggy par milte hain” (Lost? Let’s meet on Swiggy). The cheeky sign at the stall has become an instant hit, giving devotees a reason to smile amidst the spiritual chaos. Not just a convenience hub, the Swiggy Instamart stall has become a conversation starter, a meeting point, and an innovative blend of culture and modernity.

    Swiggy Instamart CEO Amitesh Jha shared his excitement about the initiative, “At Swiggy Instamart, we’re always looking for ways to make everyday moments easier for our users. The Maha Kumbh Mela is a deeply significant event, and we wanted to add meaningful value to the experience. By creating a reliable meeting point and ensuring access to essential supplies, we’re making it simpler for visitors to navigate the massive gathering with peace of mind.”

    With cultural insight and innovation at its core, Swiggy Instamart has seamlessly integrated itself into one of the world’s most sacred gatherings. Whether it’s helping lost visitors reunite or ensuring they stay connected and prepared, Swiggy Instamart has proven that convenience isn’t just about deliveries—it’s about being there when it matters most.

  • TVU Networks levels up Kumbh Mela coverage with game-changing tech!

    TVU Networks levels up Kumbh Mela coverage with game-changing tech!

    MUMBAI: Imagine a sea of 450 million devotees, converging at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, all seeking spiritual awakening—and now, imagine broadcasting that spectacle live, without a hitch. TVU Networks has done just that.

    This year’s Maha Kumbh Mela, held in Prayagraj, India, from 13 January to 26 February 2025, posed an Everest-sized challenge to broadcasters. The sheer scale of the event—hordes of pilgrims, signal-clogging mobile devices, and unpredictable terrain—demanded a broadcasting solution as powerful as the festival itself. TVU Networks delivered, deploying a trifecta of game-changing technologies that ensured seamless live coverage despite massive network congestion and rugged conditions.

    Three powerhouse solutions

    1. TVU One backpacks – Mobile Mastery TVU’s field teams wielded TVU One backpacks, transforming even the busiest bathing ghats into makeshift studios. Featuring TVU’s patented Inverse StatMux Plus (IS+) transmission technology, HEVC format smart VBR encoding, and Forward Error Correction (FEC), these power-packed units enabled reporters to transmit crystal-clear video—even in the heart of the most crowded ritual sites.

    TVU One backpacks

    2. TVU MLink transmitters – The Network Workhorses Broadcasting from a moving sea of people? No problem. TVU MLink transmitters, housed in strategically positioned broadcast vehicles, flexed their multi-network muscles, seamlessly aggregating 5G, 4G, Wifi, and ethernet. These high-tech hubs ensured rock-solid signal stability, even when millions of mobile devices strained the airwaves.

    TVU One backpacks

    3. TVU Rack router 5G – The Ultimate Command Centre Temporary studios at Kumbh Mela ran on TVU Rack Router 5G, a six-network behemoth supporting speeds up to one gbps. By integrating satellite, microwave, Wifi, and ethernet into one rock-solid connection, it provided reliable internet access, keeping production teams fully equipped and on-air.

    TVU

    “We are incredibly proud to provide the technological backbone for broadcasting this historic spiritual gathering,” said TVU Networks general manager for south Asia, Subodh Aggarwal. “Our solutions were specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges of the Kumbh Mela—from massive network congestion to the need for both mobile and fixed broadcasting positions. The successful implementation showcases our commitment to delivering reliable, cutting-edge broadcasting solutions even in the most demanding environments.”

    This achievement cements TVU Networks’ position as an industry leader in live broadcasting. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 was not just a test of faith for the devotees—it was a trial by fire for media technology, and TVU Networks emerged victorious, setting a new gold standard for large-scale event coverage in India and beyond.