Indians celebrate good billionaires like Tata, Premji and dislike those who flaunt wealth': Goenka

Billionaire Harsh Goenka recently responded to Nithin Kamath’s comment on X (formerly Twitter), in which Kamath said, "India is a socialist society pretending to be a capitalistic society."

Kamath's remark came in response to a question about why Indians "hate" the rich.

In his post, Goenka shared Kamath's video and acknowledged that Indians tend to celebrate "good billionaires" like Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, and Anand Mahindra for their humility, philanthropy, and values.

"Indians celebrate good billionaires like Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, and Anand Mahindra—they’re loved and emulated for their humility, philanthropy, and values," Goenka wrote.

"What we dislike are those who flaunt wealth, corrupt the system, and prioritize personal gain over societal good."

He emphasized that the problem isn’t wealth itself but how it is used, saying, "Wealth isn’t the issue—how it’s used is!"

According to Forbes, Harsh Goenka's net worth is around $4.2 billion.

Here’s my point of view: Indians celebrate good billionaires like Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, and Anand Mahindra—they’re loved and emulated for their humility, philanthropy, and values. What we dislike are those who flaunt wealth, corrupt the system, and prioritize personal gain… pic.twitter.com/BVa8adRPGY

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 1, 2024

Netizens reaction

Goenka's post has garnered over 134,000 views so far, with many users agreeing with his perspective. However, some users expressed disagreement, sharing their own opinions on the matter.

Tax paid 🙈

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 2, 2024

"But but …. It’s their money to spend as they wish. What’s there to hate about? 🤔 Maybe I am wired differently," a user wrote. 

"Totally agree! Good billionaires set a great example for others to follow. Also the view is very distorted/one sided, I have lived in US for almost a decade and some people in US also dislike some wealthy folks," another agreed.

Yes Sir
Humility is most important

Of course, it is their wealth and they can use in which ever way they want to use it, but Showing off is not good

— Ace Maker (@Ace_Maker_Ace) October 2, 2024

"I strongly agree that people don't like ppl who flaunt their money and ego," a third said. 

We love you too!
There are many business leaders who have created wealth for lakhs and given employment opportunities for millions.
And their lifestyle choice is their choice - IMO, why should we have a viewpoint on that? And as far as their business choices are concerned,…

— D Prasanth Nair (@DPrasanthNair) October 2, 2024

"It is one reason : the idea of a “benevolent billionaire” is very deeply loved in Indian culture. But there’s also a fair amount of raw envy that exists, between the haves and have-nots. There is a sense of entitlement, “why don’t I have that too, whats so special about them?," a fourth expressed.