Is being built in India and the Forbes magazine had an interesting feature on it. Actually the home is going to be built at the estimated cost of two billion dollars and since it is still under construction, the actual cost might be a bit more than that.

The man with the deep pockets here, Mukesh Ambani is ranked fourth richest in the world by Forbes and has a total net worth of $43 billion dollars. Mukesh Ambani inherited his wealth and companies from his father Dhiru Bhai Ambani, who started his career as a gas pump (called a pertrol bunk in India) attendant but eventually went on to own gas fields.

Looking at the exterior pictures, I can say only one thing. it doesn’t look like a home. More like a hotel. And an extremely tacky one at that. There is absolutely no sense of style or feeling of a home-sweet-home when you look at it. An unemotional piece fitted with possibly the best the money could buy but totally devoid of a heart and soul.

(The pic below is of a house in the village of Greenwich, CT)

I agree it is somebody’s personal money and its their prerogative how they spend it but the outrageous ostentation does leave a bitter taste.

Such outlandish spending is usually done by the nouveau rich, like the upstarts who suddenly come into a lot of money and feel the need to flash it, leaving no doubts that they are indeed the richest around.

India is a study in contrast. The best and the richest co-exist right next to each other with something totally sub-Saharan and poverty ridden in the country. One can see bullock carts occupying road space with the BMWs and Mercedes.

Other millionaires and billionaires around the world and especially in US have a track record at philanthropy. I could be wrong but I haven’t heard of any such thing happening on a grand scale from the Ambani camp.

Warren Buffet, also known as the Oracle Of Omaha, in spite of holding the mantle as richest or second richest man on earth, is known for his middle class leanings, like still living in the home that he brought in the 50’s etc. Also, he has willed a substantial amount of his wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation which is undertaking huge amount charity work around the world.

Why do people try to give back to the society? Because the society plays a huge role in what they are and what they have achieved. I remember Mr Buffet saying somewhere that its the American society which eventually decides that Mike Tyson gets millions for knocking guys down. Imagine what Mike Tyson’s worth would have been if he would have been born in some African village and knocking down guys there.