Harvard professor stunned by hi-tech chai at Maha Kumbh Mela: 1 crore cups from just 10 tea stalls

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, recently shared his excitement on X after reading a blog post by Professor Tarun Khanna from Harvard Business School. He highlighted the professor’s daily observations at the Maha Kumbh Mela, noting how fascinating the insights were, especially the latest blog entry, which he found particularly interesting and worth sharing.

The tweet further points out how Tarun Khanna observed that the soldiers at the event could be seen enjoying hot cups of chai, a quintessential Indian beverage. Chai Point, the government-selected entrepreneurial venture, is set to serve millions of cups of tea at the Kumbh, with the tea being made by state-of-the-art robots to ensure high quality at affordable prices.

The tweet also mentioned the security measures at the event, including India's para-commandos and high-tech infrastructure with monitoring systems resembling NASA's, along with drones and sensors for both problem-solving and security.


In his post, Mahindra quoted Tarun Khanna’s words which discussed the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, which he described as the world's largest gathering of humanity. The event, taking place in India, is expected to draw 250 million people over several weeks, with peak attendance possibly reaching 50 million daily in a temporary megacity.

According to The Hindu, Chai Point and its partner, Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), are aiming to serve over 1 crore cups of tea at the Maha Kumbh Mela, hoping to set a Guinness World Record for the most cups sold at a single event. Every cup of tea served at the stalls will also have milk from Nandini and sweets and milkshakes of the same brand.


With its technology-driven approach, Chai Point aims to serve large volumes of tea quickly while maintaining hygiene and sustainability. "We see ourselves as a beverage platform. For last few years, we have been building tea and coffee machines. That ensures high level of quality and consistency, " a top official of the company told DD India channel. One machine featured in the video is capable of making 15 litre of chai in just 12 minutes.

Internet reacted

One wrote, “Fascinating blend of tradition and technology! The Maha Kumbh is truly a marvel, and it's incredible to see how modern innovations are being used to ensure safety and efficiency at such a massive gathering.” Another commented, “Tech at its best: ensuring that even with millions attending, everyone gets their perfect cup of chai.” One added, “Wow!! Makes me feel so proud.”

Who is Professor Tarun Khanna?

Professor Tarun Khanna, the author of the blog, is a Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at Harvard Business School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Princeton University in 1988, summa cum laude, and earned a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University in 1993. He is currently the Director of The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute at Harvard University.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2024

The Maha Kumbh Mela, rooted in Hindu mythology, is the world’s largest public gathering and a massive collective act of faith. It brings together ascetics, saints, sadhus, sadhvis, and pilgrims from diverse backgrounds. This year’s event began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. Important bathing dates during the festival include January 29, February 3, February 12, and February 26.