To find the Ambani wedding distasteful

Why "particularly in India"?
Do other rich people get a free pass because they're a bit further away from abject poverty? Hoarding wealth is fine as long as you can't actually see the poor people?

I started this thread and it has evolved into very distinct categories. Unfortunately the poor will always be with us in every civilization . Individually we can only do so much but to try to be aware and compassionate . The vulgar display of wealth and all the participants like Boris and performers who took the money should be ashamed . There is no comparison to an extravagant wedding in any culture .Others have had extravagant events but didnt open it to social media or pay so called celebrities to attend . It was a display of obscene wealth juxtaposed next to some of the most poverty stricken in the world , specifically in Mumbai . Are the Ambani displaying this to share their joy in the marriage? My arse. Vulgar, tone deaf display in order to portray their power and position .

Not sure what you’re trying to say here?? The comparison is that they spent their own money but people are freaking out yet there wasn’t a complaint about the royal wedding when they used our tax money. There is a huge difference. Of course there is no obligation to invite anyone but they are a powerful family why wouldn’t they invite them? I have no idea what you are mad about?
this whole post and comments stinks of jealousy, and to be honest a bit of racism. Comments about looks and arranged marriages. I was quite shocked to read this all.

So you haven't even bothered to read the comment you quoted.

How much did you comment on the Gates Wedding? Brooklyn Beckhams wedding? Any other rich-white-person wedding?

You can lie to yourself all you want, but you comment just confirms your racism, or at the very, very, very least and being very generous and forgiving... unconscious bias.

You can't think of other any extravagant convenings of the rich and famous? Really?
Why is paying Kim Kardashian to attend your wedding any more vulgar than spaffing your cash on a spaceship?

So you haven't even bothered to read the comment you quoted.

How much did you comment on the Gates Wedding? Brooklyn Beckhams wedding? Any other rich-white-person wedding?

You can lie to yourself all you want, but you comment just confirms your racism, or at the very, very, very least and being very generous and forgiving... unconscious bias.

I started this thread and it has evolved into very distinct categories. Unfortunately the poor will always be with us in every civilization . Individually we can only do so much but to try to be aware and compassionate . The vulgar display of wealth and all the participants like Boris and performers who took the money should be ashamed . There is no comparison to an extravagant wedding in any culture .Others have had extravagant events but didnt open it to social media or pay so called celebrities to attend . It was a display of obscene wealth juxtaposed next to some of the most poverty stricken in the world , specifically in Mumbai . Are the Ambani displaying this to share their joy in the marriage? My arse. Vulgar, tone deaf display in order to portray their power and position .

How many times have you seen people with visible, visibly untreated disabilities and deformities begging in the streets of European countries? Small children fending for themselves on the streets? Entire families searching for food in rubbish dumps? I’ve never seen any of those things in Europe, despite having lived in the UK for nearly 50 years and having travelled extensively elsewhere. I saw all of them in two weeks in India.

How many times have you seen people with visible, visibly untreated disabilities and deformities begging in the streets of European countries? Small children fending for themselves on the streets? Entire families searching for food in rubbish dumps? I’ve never seen any of those things in Europe, despite having lived in the UK for nearly 50 years and having travelled extensively elsewhere. I saw all of them in two weeks in India.

How many times have you seen people with visible, visibly untreated disabilities and deformities begging in the streets of European countries? Small children fending for themselves on the streets? Entire families searching for food in rubbish dumps? I’ve never seen any of those things in Europe, despite having lived in the UK for nearly 50 years and having travelled extensively elsewhere. I saw all of them in two weeks in India.

“Particularly in India” because the richest can afford to spend hundreds of millions on a party, while the poorest have to exist with degrees of deprivation that are not common elsewhere. As per the hundreds of posts on this thread that you don’t seem to have read.

“Particularly in India” because the richest can afford to spend hundreds of millions on a party, while the poorest have to exist with degrees of deprivation that are not common elsewhere. As per the hundreds of posts on this thread that you don’t seem to have read.

This. It’s not about the wedding, it’s about what the astronomical cost of it says about the enormous level of inequality that exists. Particularly in India, whether people like to hear that or not.

@Walkaround

You raise an important distinction about the symbolism behind such lavish spending. The Royal Family, whether we agree with it or not, represents the UK and its traditions. Their weddings, funded partially by taxpayers (private money is used) are national events that carry national significance and are intended to reflect the country's heritage on the world stage. Therefore the expenditure is balanced by the goodwill/income/tourism generated.

In contrast, the Ambani wedding is a display of private wealth and power in a country where millions live in poverty. This is not just about how much was spent, but what it represents. The Ambani family doesn't have the same public role or responsibilities as a royal family. Their spending is a statement of personal power and influence without the same level of accountability or public benefit.

The criticism is not about jealousy or racism, but about the stark economic inequality it highlights. In a nation with significant poverty, such ostentatious displays of wealth can be seen as insensitive and tone-deaf. It raises questions about the social responsibilities of the ultra-wealthy and the impact of such disparities on society.

So, the issue is not whether it's "nobody's business" how they spend their money, but what this level of extravagance says about social and economic priorities in a country where many lack basic necessities.

I would bat an eye if such an extravaganza was on display anywhere, especially where nearly half the population lives in dire poverty - not just the relative poverty of the UK. Acquit me of racism and the politics of envy, also. It is just so OTT and tasteless.

UK:

Poverty has increased, close to pre-pandemic levels

More than 1 in 5 people in the UK (22%) were in poverty in 2021/22 – 14.4 million people.23 Jan 2024

India:

According to research by the State Bank of India, released in February 2024, the poverty rate in the country fell to 4.5-5 percent in 2022-23.

The Ambanis donated £66 mil in 2020 as well as funding the initial COVID response.

Now, please do tell me how this thread is not a racist rant from most of you, and how if this family were a rich white family of similar standing, you would be posting the same comments. If Bill Gates spent this amount on his children's wedding, no one would bat an eye.

*"Pictures of the marriage of Bill and Melinda Gates’ eldest daughter, Jennifer, and her equestrian sweetheart, Nayel Nassar, emerged this week and they paint a picture of a lavish farm wedding set amongst the autumn leaves.

Reports this week suggest the pair’s 300 guests were treated to two ceremonies, a lavish brunch and a performance from Coldplay - as long as they’d had the vaccine and tested negative for Covid.

According to the bride herself, the star-studded three-day event felt like an “otherworldly fairyale”, with decadent white floral decorations, hanging yellow lights and a roster of celebrity wedding planners behind the venue, food and drink."*

Do you not think a 3 day "white wedding" (unlike a traditional Indian wedding) is absurd? Or hiring a famous band? Multiple outfits?

No. It's just when brown people do it that it's a problem.