'Why Indians hate the rich?' Billionaire Harsh Goenka has a different answer than Zerodha's Nithin Kamath
Harsh Goenka was quick to weigh in on Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath’s recent remarks about why Indians seem to dislike wealthy individuals. During an event in Bangalore, Kamath had responded to this question. Goenka, the billionaire chairman of RPG Enterprises, offered his perspective, stating that Indians do, in fact, celebrate “good billionaires” like Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, and Anand Mahindra. These figures, Goenka emphasized, are admired for their humility, philanthropy, and the values they represent.
Goenka further elaborated that the issue isn’t wealth itself but how it is used. Those who flaunt their riches, engage in corruption, or prioritize personal gain over societal good are the ones who face public resentment, he said. According to him, wealth should be seen as a tool for positive societal impact, and those who use it for good are celebrated, while others are disliked for their ostentatious displays and unethical practices.
«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 over societal good. Wealth isn’t the issue—how it’s used is,» the RPG group chief in a tweet.
Kamath’s original remarks, which sparked this discussion, stemmed from a conversation about how wealth is perceived in India compared to the United States. He pointed out that in the U.S., success and wealth are often openly celebrated, with
