In today’s times where human values are fading and currency values are increasing, a thought that has been troubling me is- how do I define the word ‘rich’? if I have Rs 100 crores does that make me rich…or should I earn few extra zeroes beside the 1 to be called as rich.
Even if I do, will that be enough for the world to call me rich? Well…after a lot of thought, I decide that ‘rich’ has no definition. Instead, it is an abstract term which has the power to take a man into a black-hole of sleepless nights, frustration and anxiety.
According to new world terms, what is rich? earlier, there was not much difference between rich and poor but with passing time, luxuries and comforts have risen.
With the software boom neo rich people came up and started setting new definitions to their attitude and treating others.
With real estate boom, few more joined the list and I dare say, even those without culture or civic manners got into the rich bracket. So, the fundamental is, how much should someone have to be termed as rich.
Like I mentioned at the start, running behind money leads you nowhere. If there is someone who is on road and eating food he likes, that’s exactly the same experience you would have even if you are eating in a posh restaurant.
While travelling in AC car, whether it is Nano or Benz, the AC is same maybe with a slight difference in the cooling effect. Having healthy food at home or outside is ok, so even if you are having the same food in a star hotel, the experience is same. All bodies get same pleasure, the truth is, if a human being draws a line of satisfaction, then rest of the things will become bonus.
The test for one’s wisdom is, one should know where to stop. I recall the late actor Sobhan Babu’s autobiography titled ‘Parugu Aapadam Oka Kala’ and true to the title, he was a man who knew where to draw a line. I think if the idea of becoming rich is to prove a point to the world and pomp myself in front of them then there is no bigger fool than me. In my experience, I have seen many friends of mine running a race to get to the ‘rich’ tag but the closer they thought they went, the further their destination became. In between this, they have forgotten the journey of life and don’t even realize what they are living for…have you been through that??
Ashok Kumar, Hyderabad
