A king crowns himself

He is the King of Business and he is showing it BIG time. He is building a royal palace for himself as opulent and extravagant as any king built in the ye ancient times to prove his worth.

From impossibly large stones of the Pyramids in Egypt to...
the lush palace in Luxembourg to ...
the white, gold and glass magnificence of French palace of Versailles to ...
the gold embossed Mysore palace ( with the famous gold throne)....
each King had his palace built ostentatiously. Each of their palaces showed off their might and power to their subjects and enemies.

The nature of the King has changed today. Real royalty and money and power is in the business world rather than in blue blood lines. True to form, the King of today's business world has conceived 'Antilla'. Photos, videos and email forwards galore create a flood no one can ignore.

His 5-star style, 28-floor, 4 lakh sq feet palace towers over the skyline of Mumbai - demanding attention. We poor Mumbai-ites of 700 sq feet homes bow in subjection and wonder. He is the king- Mukesh Ambani – for he has announced it in no uncertain terms.

Chase away the cheap car

There is a small cheap car going to hit the roads this year end and I am scared. As if we didn't have enough vehicles on the road, now cars are so affordable that those with mobile phones can buy it. That is saying something - as I don't know anyone who does not have a mobile phone. Not the auto driver, not the guy who cleans out the garbage from my building. If they can own and operate a phone, they can probably afford a driving license too.

The million vehicles out on the Mumbai roads is just going to become 5 million. Because now every kid will want one as soon as he is 18. Every couple will want another one for the spouse.
Maybe this price rise in fuel is a good thing. People will be able to afford cars but they wont be able to afford to keep it running. Maybe the price rise in land is a great thing. People can afford a car but can't afford parking space. Imagine - such a small cute car would need proper sparking and heavy security. After all, a couple of thieves together can just carry it away. Ban it in cities - I say.

But wait a minute! With such small cars, imagine how easy the rainy season will be for pedestrians. Nowadays, the first to get stuck are those classic Maruti 800s. Post launch of small cars...it will be them. So you get on to the road, hop from one stranded car to another and you reach home. No need to worry about potholes or open manholes either.

Small cheap cars - come do your worst! Mumbai is ready for you.