Mumbai – With India preparing for its festive season, Mohit Kamboj, CEO of Aspect Global Ventures, and Founder of the MKB Foundation, has issued a clarion call to rethink how the nation manages large public gatherings. From the Kumbh Mela and Ganesh Chaturthi to sporting spectacles like the IPL, India witnesses some of the world’s largest congregations of people – occasions of joy that too often carry the risk of tragedy due to overcrowding and inadequate safety measures.
“Public celebrations should not be marred by fear; they should inspire collective joy with the reassurance that every life is safeguarded,” said Mohit Kamboj. “Crowd management is not merely a logistical challenge – it is a social responsibility.”
Kamboj emphasized the need to move beyond reactive crisis control toward proactive safeguarding, guided by a people-first mindset that prioritizes dignity and inclusivity. Elderly citizens, children, families, and persons with disabilities, he noted, must feel equally secure in their participation.
Highlighting the role of technology, Kamboj called for the ethical deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) tools to prevent overcrowding, monitor density, and flag potential risks in real time. “AI-enabled cameras and sensor-based alarms can act as silent protectors of human life, provided their use respects privacy and civil liberties,” he added.
Kamboj underscored the importance of collaboration between municipal bodies, law enforcement agencies, and private event organizers. Municipal corporations must design safer urban spaces with wider pedestrian corridors and multiple evacuation routes, while law enforcement requires training in calm communication, conflict resolution, and empathy. Event organizers, he suggested, should embed safety drills, evacuation plans, and capacity controls into their operations.
“Safety is not left to chance – it must be embedded into the DNA of every celebration,” said Kamboj. “India’s metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad have the opportunity to set global benchmarks in safe public experiences.”
As India heads into its festive season, Kamboj urged swift and decisive action: “Each tragedy in the past has carried lessons written in the language of loss. Now, it is time to act. Safer public spaces mean valuing human life above all else. When managed with foresight, compassion, and collaboration, India’s public gatherings can truly embody joy, unity, and shared pride.”
