Ankur Kalra is not just a name that echoes across the event management corridors of India he is a force shaping the cultural and emotional fabric of an industry often hidden behind glitz and deadlines. As the General Secretary of the Event & Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), Ankur Kalra has a ringside view of what truly goes on behind the scenes of the events we applaud and admire. His recent reflections on LinkedIn about the silent mental health crisis within the event industry are neither dramatic nor diluted they are honest, necessary, and timely.
Ankur Kalra brings to light an uncomfortable truth: event management is among the top 10 most stressful professions in the world. It’s a fact often drowned under light shows, grand stages, and crowd cheers. The stress of delivering the “impossible” on tight deadlines and under intense scrutiny is not a one-time occurrence it is the very foundation upon which many events are built. And while the industry thrives on pressure, the people within it are often running on fumes.
Ankur Kalra speaks candidly about how this constant pressure takes a toll on mental health an area that has long been ignored in the events industry. He recognizes the tendency of professionals to sideline their emotional well-being in pursuit of perfection and client satisfaction. But what makes his approach commendable is not just his awareness, but the action he is taking to address the issue. Through his leadership at Vibgyor, he has initiated structural and cultural changes that prioritize mental wellness just as much as professional success.
One of the standout programs initiated by Ankur Kalra is The Buddy Project. It’s simple yet powerful: nominated team members across departments volunteer to be listeners offering a safe, judgment-free space to talk. In a high-pressure environment, this initiative breaks the silence many carry daily. Often, being heard without the pressure to “fix” things is the first step to healing. Ankur Kalra understands that mental wellness begins with conversation, not correction.
Another bold and necessary move from Ankur Kalra has been choosing projects judiciously. In an industry where last-minute client demands are considered the norm, saying “no” is not easy. But Ankur Kalra sets an example by drawing a firm line his teams no longer take on unrealistic briefs that demand exhaustive overnight work. This not only ensures better work quality but more importantly, respects the human behind the work. It’s a message to the industry: productivity cannot come at the cost of peace of mind.
Ankur Kalra also introduces mental health professional intervention as a standard not an exception. By collaborating with a specialist organization for regular workshops, one-on-one counselling, and stress-detection questionnaires, he institutionalizes mental wellness as a regular conversation within the workplace. The objective is clear: early intervention, constant awareness, and reducing stigma around seeking help.
Monthly Check-ins are another refreshing initiative under Ankur Kalra’s leadership. These aren’t formal reviews or team huddles they’re heartfelt conversations where employees express themselves freely. These sessions offer reassurance, build trust, and create a workplace where emotional transparency is not seen as weakness, but as strength. In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, where vulnerability is often hidden under professionalism, Ankur Kalra is quietly creating a counterculture.
The training of internal support teams to recognize stress signals is yet another layer to this holistic approach. Ankur Kalra is not waiting for problems to arise he is preparing his organization to be ready, empathetic, and proactive. These trained internal counsellors serve as the first line of support for any colleague in distress, making mental health care more accessible and immediate.
Ankur Kalra’s initiatives are not just about reducing stress they’re about changing how success is defined. In his worldview, creative excellence and emotional balance are not opposites; they are companions. The decision to embed empathy and well-being into the workplace DNA is not just socially responsible it’s strategically smart. When individuals are cared for, organizations thrive.
His efforts at Vibgyor aren’t isolated steps they reflect a deeper belief that mental wellness is a journey, not a destination. Ankur Kalra knows that mental health cannot be outsourced to policy documents or annual seminars. It must be lived, practiced, and protected every day, especially in industries where burnout is often mistaken for commitment.
In an era where discussions around workplace mental health are often performative, Ankur Kalra’s model offers substance over slogans. His initiatives are real, his tone is grounded, and his leadership is quietly revolutionary. Through consistent actions, he is building a culture where mental health is seen not as a “bonus,” but as a baseline requirement for any thriving team.
To those working in the event industry and beyond, Ankur Kalra sets a powerful precedent: leadership isn’t just about deadlines and deliverables. It’s also about listening, caring, and standing up for the unseen battles your team fights every day.
Ankur Kalra’s journey is far from over, but he has already done something rare he has sparked a change that will outlive any single event, campaign, or client project. In doing so, he reminds us all that success should never come at the cost of self. And in the long run, it’s not just the loudest voices or brightest stages that make an impact but the silent, consistent actions of people like Ankur Kalra.
