Ameer-Gareeb

Money, money, money... it's so funny... it's a rich man's world. Especially for us folks in India, now that it is official - four of the world's 10 wealthiest individuals are Indians. Yipeee! Who knows, by this time next year, Warren Buffet himself may be toppled from his perch, and one of the brothers Ambani (but WHICH one?), will be declared 'The Richest Man Alive.' This is all terribly exciting...if you can figure out the zeroes (how many are there in a billion?).
Never mind the zeroes, it's our desi business heroes who are turning up the heat across the world and contributing to financial global warming. Buffet at $62 billion. Lakshmi Mittal at $45b, Mukesh Ambani at $43b, and Anil Ambani at $42b. Wow! How good is that looking and sounding? Brilliant, right? And, let's not even go into the combined wealth of our 53 homegrown billionaires ($334.6b) but focus instead on the bigger picture.
We know how rich these guys are, but how rich is India? Does the wealth of a few individuals offer any kind of a perspective on the asli state of the aam janata? You know the answer. The wealth of India's ameer log equals 31% of the GDP. But take heart - Russia beats us there with 87 billionaires accounting for 36% GDP. Scary statistics. Sobering numbers. But that depends on perspectives.
Do our richie rich industrialists reflect the ground realities of the nation? Hell, no! Some 70% of India still struggles to find a roof over the head, drinking water, food and education opportunities. Basics, the rest of the developed world takes for granted. It's going to take years for those mighty billions to trickle down and 'add value' to the majority of our countrymen, who barely manage to hang in there, even as our superrich acquire the next zero. So what?
The mood is still euphoric. A bit like our mood after a cricket victory. Nobody selfishly asks, ''What's in it for me?'' Whether Pawar distributes Rs 10 crore or 100 to the team, it doesn't actually matter to the man on the street, since not even a rupee is coming into his pocket. But the cricket fan still rejoices and feels happy for those lucky Boys in Blue, who have emerged richer by Rs 58 lakh each. It's the same with our billionaires. Nobody wants to spoil the party by being petty and mean. Indians are amazing in this regard. There is genuine collective pride in someone else's achievement. Besides, don't we all love the vicarious thrill of knowing there are Incredible Indians who are up there with the best brains and talents in the world?
The sobering aspect of the story cannot be ignored. While our rich are getting richer (God bless them!), the poor seem to be getting poorer. The disparities are startling enough to set off alarms. But who is paying heed? The Ameer-Gareeb divide has always been India's cross to bear. Sixty years later, that chasm seems wider than ever. It's strange that those billions don't directly impact more lives. And yet, every young Indian one talks to, wants to become an overnight crorepati, and believes it's possible to do realise that dream. Perhaps that is the greatest, most far-reaching effect those all-important Rich Lists have on a nation - people start to believe 'impossible is nothing' - ''main bhi Ambani-Mittal banna chhahta hoon.'' Forbes as the great motivator? Sure.
As for me, i'll never make the cut. Not after the irrepressible Subbirami Reddy looked at the lines on my palm some years ago and stated dismissively, ''So sad... everything else... but no money.'' Are you sure, i asked in panic. He shut his eyes, meditated briefly and declared firmly, ''Very sure. Money line simply not there.'' Oh dear! Aah well! so be it. But it's still good to know some of my best friends are billionaires. Paisa vasool.