By IANS
New Delhi : Soon after Forbes named him India’s richest resident, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani Friday warned that such billionaires’ lists were deceptive, while drawing a parallel with maya of Indian philosophy.
Addressing the India Today conclave here, Ambani said there was “much hype” and talk about the number of Indians figuring in the various lists of billionaires and cautioned that they served little purpose.
“This, in my opinion, is a deceptive description. This is like maya of Indian philosophy. It veils your vision that comes in way of knowing your real self,” said the chairman of India’s largest company by market capitalisation.
“To all those who have aspirations of global leadership, I would like to caution – beware of this view,” he said in a rather reflective mood. “I hope the next time you do a cover story on Mukesh Ambani, it will not be the money machine.”
Last week Forbes had named Mukesh Ambani the fifth richest person in the world with a net worth of $43 billion, and called him “Asia’s richest resident”.
The magazine said his fortune was up $22.9 billion since last year, making him the world’s second biggest gainer in terms of dollars. His brother, Anil Ambani, was ranked sixth with $42 billion.
The London-based L.N. Mittal, chairman of steel-maker Arcelor-Mittal, was ranked fourth with a net worth of $45 billion.