'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.

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*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

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