Courtesy of Raksha KumarRam Singh.Why do millions of people, from entire Indian villages to urbane middle managers to foreign tourists, brave the crowds at the Kumbh Mela During this year’s 55-day pilgrimage, to Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, an estimated 100 million Hindus and others are expected to take a holy dip in the Ganges River to wash away their sins. India Ink interviewed some of them.
Ram Singh, 61, a milk vendor from Siwan, Bihar, was one among them. This is what he had to say.
Why did you come to the Kumbh Mela this year Is this your first time
I go to every Kumbh Mela. It is something my parents taught me from a very young age. We always went to he Kumbh no matter where it was. This time, I came because I wanted to get my grandson to the mela. When I see that people come here from all over, I am overwhelmed.
How have you found it so far
It is nice, but not as nice as three Kumbhs ago. It was three Kumbhs ago when everyone in my village was there. We were up all night and made sure that no one slept. We smoked up so much! I loved that experience.
Describe your journey to the Kumbh. Did you travel alone How long did it take
This time I traveled with all my family. We are eight of us â€" all my sons, daughters-in-law, my daughter and my grandchildren. My favorite grandson is Bablu. I want him to take a dip so that his future is safeguarded.
Do you consider yourself a religious person
Religion is something that has c! ome down from generations. We are all religious in our villages. It is only in your cities that people are not so religious. That is what is ruining the fabric of our society. Anyway, religion is something that we should stick to. Why are crime rates so high in our society today It is because people are moving away from faith.
Who do you think is going to win the 2014 election
I don’t care. I would want someone from my caste, but at this time we are all so busy with our lives and occupations that we couldn’t care less.
(The interview was conducted in Hindi.)
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