NEW DELHI: Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, experienced a brief illness while attending the Maha Kumbh in India but is now recovering after taking a dip in the Ganges River and resting, according to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government. Despite the setback, her enthusiasm for learning about Sanatan Dharma remains strong.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri of the Niranjani Akhara, who is Powell Jobs’ guru, has given her the new name “Kamla.” He described her as a “simple, virtuous, and humble” woman with a keen interest in Sanatan Dharma.
“She is free from ego and fully devoted to her guru,” Swami Kailashanand said. “All her questions revolve around Sanatan Dharma and she finds great joy and satisfaction in the answers.”
Mahant Ravindra Puri, chief of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, said that Powell Jobs’ quest for spirituality brought her to the Maha Kumbh.
“She has a new name here, Kamla. She is very simple, soft and bereft of ego and is here as she was inspired by the timeless sanatani culture,” Puri said. “She maintains a low profile. The day before yesterday (on Sunday), I asked her to come and sit on the dais during an event but she remained seated at the back.”
Powell Jobs has largely avoided the media at the world’s largest religious gathering so far, with only a few short video clips of her being shared by news outlets last week. She is expected to stay at the Niranjani Akhara for a few days as she continues her spiritual journey.
Around 20 million devotees have taken part in the first ‘Amrit Snan’ of Maha Kumbh 2025, according to Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat. He said that by evening, over 2.5 crore people are expected to bathe in the Sangam. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar confirmed that police are closely monitoring the situation, with special measures in place for crowd control.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath congratulated the devotees, calling the event a testament to India’s culture and faith.