Jugaad Is In India’s DNA: Maha Kumbh Showcases Indian Innovative Spirit

“Every 12 years, a temporary city larger than New York materialises on the banks of sacred rivers. No board meetings. No PowerPoint presentations. No venture capital. Just pure, time-tested Indian jugaad (innovation) backed by centuries of iterative learnings,” stated Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani in his LinkedIn post, reflecting “the world's most successful pop-up megacity isn't just about numbers – it's about eternal principles that we at the Adani Group strive to embrace.”

Jugaad is in our DNA. Several instances of Indian innovative spirit were on display at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. One that went viral was an innovative child safety measure. Kids were seen with pieces of paper with their names, contact details and addresses attached to their backs. This ensured quick reunification with their families if they became separated. This simple, yet brilliant solution proved effective without the need for costly technology.

Indians are known to come up with innovative solutions to fix their complex everyday issues. Another instance of jugaad that gained traction on social media involved a woman who came up with an ingenious solution to prevent her husband from getting lost in the crowd at the Maha Kumbh. She was seen tying a rope to him, ensuring they stayed connected amid the throngs of people.