Why corporate meets are like Durga Pujo

Oh, there are few things that can top the buzz of top-notch mindfests, whether it's ET's WLF in Delhi, or WEF's powwow in Davos. But have you noticed the similarities they have with fests like Durga Pujo? Think about it - attending panels and sessions at these events is really the corporate cousin of pandal-hopping. You start with grand intentions: 'I'll attend the AI ethics panel, the tough tariffs talk, and maybe squeeze in the one on quantum tofu.' But 30 mins in, you're swinging your lanyard - the strap or cord around the neck that acts as your attendance/entry pass - and chewing the cud with someone who calls himself 'Dr Rakesh' and insists he's a thought leader in 'synergistic disruption'.

Much like pujo pandals, summit panels are judged by spectacle and buzz. One has LED-lit idols, the other has videos accompanied by soft music. Both involve queues, elbowing strangers, and looking at other people looking at you being suitably moved. The moderator is the pundit doubling as pandit, chanting near-Sanskrit buzzwords like 'scalability' and 'intersectionality', with the fervour of aarti. The panelists, like deities, sit elevated, bathed in spotlight, answering questions no one asked before, with answers that leave you delightfully hungry. And the audience? A mix of devotees, sceptics, and those just here for the excellent, free coffee.