[Opinion] Rich Indians

In India, heaven and hell, former and present life, the richest in the world and ascetics with no possessions at all live together. According to U.S. economic magazine Forbes, 4 out of the 10 richest men in the world are Indian. Although this nation has become the world’s third largest economy in terms of purchasing power, its wealth distribution is dominated by a few. 27.5 percent of its people live on less than 40 cents a day, lower than the country’s poverty line.

The life of rich Indians is beyond our imagination. Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries Limited, is the world’s fifth-richest man. He gave a private jet worth 56.6 billion won to his wife as a gift for her 44th birthday. His customized jet has a cutting-edge office, bedroom, shower, and bar. He is also building a luxurious 27-story mansion, which will be managed by more than 600 people and accommodate 168 cars in its parking garage.

Lakshmi Mittal, head of the world’s largest steel company Mittal Steel, was ranked 4th among the world’s richest people. He lives in London where he purchased a home worth 128 million dollars (around 121.6 billion won). The house will lose its standing as the world’s most expensive once Ambani’s mansion is completed. The reason India has many rich people is that the country was influenced by capitalism early in its history under British colonial rule. The Bombay Stock Exchange, Asia’s first stock exchange, opened in 1875. It helped India’s capital accumulation.

Despite the reality of the rich-get-richer and the poor-get-poorer, Indians don’t hate rich people. Even though the caste system, which divides people into four categories, is forbidden by law, it still influences people’s lives. According to Hinduism, the cycle of reincarnation and karma predetermine one’s present life. The humble, living in extreme poverty, believe that they will be born with the highest rank, Brahman, in their next life. Maybe that’s why Indians aren’t jealous of the rich.

Editorial writer Hwang Ho-taek (hthwang@donga.com)