Mumbai (AFP) – Billionaire Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani is set to throw the most extravagant wedding of the year, celebrating the union of his son Anant and fiancée Radhika Merchant. The three-day Hindu ceremony, starting Friday, will be a showcase of Ambani’s staggering wealth, highlighting India’s rapid economic growth and stark financial inequalities.
Ambani, Asia’s richest man, has a fortune of over $123 billion and is the 11th wealthiest person in the world. His family’s opulent celebrations have already included multi-day galas, a European cruise for 1,200 guests, a specially built Hindu temple, and entertainment by pop stars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
The wedding invitation was an intricate chest with a mini silver temple, and Merchant’s dresses have been custom designs from Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Yves Saint Laurent. The celebrations have also included a trip to the Ambani’s “animal rescue centre” and a mass wedding ceremony for poor couples.
While India is the fastest-growing major economy, it also has a significant poverty crisis, with a national per capita income of just $1,174 and a ranking of 111 out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index report last year. Ambani’s lavish spending has drawn attention to the country’s wealth disparities, with 1% of the population earning more than a fifth of its wealth.
