'Wedding of the century': What does Mukesh Ambani want to prove by such extravaganza?

By NS Venkataraman*

Mukesh Ambani, a renowned Indian industrialist who is said to be the richest person in India and one of the richest persons in the world, has just now conducted the wedding celebration of his son in Mumbai, with unheard level of lavishness in India.

It appears that a few million dollars of money must have been spent in conducting this wedding, which was attended by past Prime Ministers and Presidents from different countries, CEOs of several multinational organisations, popular film stars and sports persons and of course, lawyers, politicians and journalists.

It is further said that Mukesh Amabani sent separate aircrafts to different destinations to bring these so-called VIPs (very important persons), lodged them in leading hotels in lavish style. The event was widely publicized in print and visual media in India and a few other countries. Several media called this wedding as the wedding of the century, whatever it may mean.

There is no doubt that Mukesh Ambani has earned several millions of dollars of income by hard work, sustained and intelligent investment and promoted large scale projects in multiple fields with dynamic management practices. All credit can be given to him for such achievements.

But, is there not a sign of vulgarity and exhibition of enormous ego in conducting such lavish wedding celebrations? What does Mukesh Ambani want to prove by such extravaganza? In throwing away money by conducting such luxurious wedding celebration, is he not aware that many people may suspect his mental state and thought process, which does not certainly reflect any level of thinking at a higher level?

India is a country with 1,400 million people, of which 15% of the population still live below poverty line and around 40% of the population are just above the border line of poverty level. Has Mukesh Ambani thought about these people in his “hour of glory”? By wasting his wealth in such luxurious wedding function, he has lost the opportunity to use this money for helping the cause of the poor and downtrodden, who constitute lakhs of people in India.

In throwing away money by conducting luxurious wedding celebration, isn't he aware, many people may suspect his mental state?

By spending for the benefit of poor people, while celebrating the marriage in simple style, instead of throwing money in wasteful wedding exercise, Mukesh Ambani and the young couple would have received the blessings of millions of people, which will stand him and his family in good stead in future. Such blessing are far more significant and important than the praise and admiration that Mukesh Ambani received from his rich guests.

Just like days follow night, the wedding celebration of three days would also go away, leaving only bitter thoughts and frustration in the mind of the poor people in India, who would inevitably ponder about the state of their life with the life style of the rich and affluent people. Such unacceptable exhibition of wealth would only create a sense of anger towards rich people amongst those who have to fight for square meal a day.

It is inevitable that in the mind of deprived of people and discerning observers, there would be development of feelings of contempt for Mukesh Ambani’s style and for the similar style of other rich people too.

Human life is essentially a time passing exercise and people with noble thoughts would not believe in such ego centric actions.

Money is noble when spent for good cause. Money becomes evil and even vulgar when thrown away for ego centric actions.

This above conclusion is not only applicable to Mukesh Ambani but to several other ego centric wealthy persons and families and politicians who could be gathering curses rather than blessings by celebrating lavish marriages which become an eyesore for the discerning people and those facing poverty conditions.

---

*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

From Kerala to Bangladesh: Lynching highlights deep social faultlines

By A Representative The recent incidents of mob lynching—one in Bangladesh involving a Hindu citizen and another in Kerala where a man was killed after being mistaken for a “Bangladeshi”—have sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

What Sister Nivedita understood about India that we have forgotten

By Harasankar Adhikari In the idea of a “Vikshit Bharat,” many real problems—hunger, poverty, ill health, unemployment, and joblessness—are increasingly overshadowed by the religious contest between Hindu and Muslim fundamentalisms. This contest is often sponsored and patronised by political parties across the spectrum, whether openly Hindutva-oriented, Islamist, partisan, or self-proclaimed secular.

Aravalli at the crossroads: Environment, democracy, and the crisis of justice

By Rajendra Singh* The functioning of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has undergone a troubling shift. Once mandated to safeguard forests and ecosystems, the Ministry now appears increasingly aligned with industrial interests. Its recent affidavit before the Supreme Court makes this drift unmistakably clear. An institution ostensibly created to protect the environment now seems to have strayed from that very purpose.

Safety, pay and job security drive Urban Company gig workers’ protest in Gurugram

By A Representative Gig and platform service workers associated with Urban Company have stepped up their protest against what they describe as exploitative and unsafe working conditions, submitting a detailed Memorandum of Demands at the company’s Udyog Vihar office in Gurugram. The action is being seen as part of a wider and growing wave of dissatisfaction among gig workers across India, many of whom have resorted to demonstrations, app log-outs and strikes in recent months to press for fair pay, job security and basic labour protections.

India’s universities lag global standards, pushing students overseas: NITI Aayog study

By Rajiv Shah A new Government of India study, Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations , prepared by NITI Aayog , regrets that India’s lag in this sector is the direct result of “several systemic challenges such as inadequate infrastructure to provide quality education and deliver world-class research, weak industry–academia collaboration, and outdated curricula.”

The rise of the civilizational state: Prof. Pratap Bhanu Mehta warns of new authoritarianism

By A Representative Noted political theorist and public intellectual Professor Pratap Bhanu Mehta delivered a poignant reflection on the changing nature of the Indian state today, warning that the rise of a "civilizational state" poses a significant threat to the foundations of modern democracy and individual freedom. Delivering the Achyut Yagnik Memorial Lecture titled "The Idea of Civilization: Poison or Cure?" at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Mehta argued that India is currently witnessing a self-conscious political project that seeks to redefine the state not as a product of a modern constitution, but as an instrument of an ancient, authentic civilization.

Why experts say replacing MGNREGA could undo two decades of rural empowerment

By A Representative A group of scientists, academics, civil society organisations and field practitioners from India and abroad has issued an open letter urging the Union government to reconsider the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and to withdraw the newly enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The letter, dated December 27, 2025, comes days after the VB–G RAM G Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 16 and subsequently approved by both Houses of Parliament, formally replacing the two-decade-old employment guarantee law.

Bangladesh in turmoil: Rising insecurity, sectarian forces gain ground

By Bharat Dogra Many who initially welcomed the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are now reconsidering their stance. The reasons are stark. Law and order has deteriorated sharply, leaving large sections of the population—particularly political opponents—deeply vulnerable. Minorities report growing insecurity, with disturbing incidents of targeted violence. Inter-faith harmony is under unprecedented strain, while prospects for fair elections are fading as major political parties, including those with strong minority support, face exclusion and obstruction.

Why Sheikh Hasina has never apologised to Bangladesh’s Hindus

By Nava Thakuria* Amid rising anti-India rhetoric, Bangladesh has recently witnessed fresh turmoil following the death of a young radical leader, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. As the situation gradually returns to a semblance of normalcy, the South Asian nation is preparing for its next general election, scheduled for 12 February 2026. These highly anticipated polls, coming in the aftermath of the student-led mass uprising of July–August 2024 that culminated in the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will notably exclude her party, the Awami League, which had ruled the Muslim-majority country of nearly 170 million people for years.

Search This Blog