A NEW BEST FRIEND
TYCOON STYLE
What do you do once you have several villas all over Europe, a limited edition Patek Philippe watch worth Rs 1 crore and several Mercedes? Buy a plane and build a runway in the middle of nowhere. Dev Bath, 31, an NRI real estate magnate who divides his time between Barbados and his village in Punjab, Batthan, 27 km from Jalandhar, has assets worth close to a billion US dollars. He recently splurged on a X-A-3, a two-seater Microlight plane that he keeps at his farmhouse in Bathan, where he’s created a special runway for it. He also owns another plane, a Legacy 600, currently parked at Monaco. “If you have money, it’s a crime not to spend it on living well,” insists Bath and adds, “After all, you can’t take it up with you.” Bath’s office in Jalandhar is shaped like a ship and his farm looks like a Mughal fort. This tycoon is revered in his village that has just one school, which Bath has recently helped rebuild.
— Anju Agnihotri Chaba
FLASHY AT 50
Taking friends out for dinner on your 50th birthday or popping champagne at home is very 90s. Recently, a Delhi-based tycoon who has made his fortune in the travel trade, got together 50 of his closest friends and whisked them away on an all-paid trip to Spain for his birthday, complete with business-class tickets and swanky hotels. The big night was held on a luxury yacht, where model-actress Rakhi Sawant danced under the starry Mediterranean sky. Another Delhi industrialist took his friends to Bangkok for his 50th birthday party and put them up at a hotel that cost 500$ per night. Even the spa treatments were on the house.
— Leher Kala
RING BLING
In Punjab, its not unusual for the rich to flaunt their wealth with flashy, over-the-top acquisitions. One of the biggest luxury goods markets in India is in Ludhiana, where one businessman can boast of a house with pure silver doors and another, who has gold-plated taps in every bathroom. No, we’re not kidding. A popular electronics store in Ludhiana called Ethos has recently started stocking Vertu, the titanium-plated, super-exclusive mobile phone from Nokia. This stylish phone comes in several models and can cost upwards of Rs 30 lakh. Sources tell us 15 Vertus have sold in Ludhiana since May this year. The company has now decided to launch their coloured diamond collection here; the phone is made of a combination of 18-carat gold, pink sapphires and rubies of the best quality. Apparently, the Vertu is the hottest gift at glitzy weddings for the bridegroom.
— Raakhi Jagga
SPENDERELLAS
The truly trendy lady-of-leisure-with-bucks has set her sights a lot higher than mere Indian designers; In swank Mumbai parties, rich girl chic includes vintage clothing by Dior, Roberto Cavali jeans, and Valentino dresses, that can cost upwards of Rs 1 lakh. In Delhi and Mumbai, it’s not unusual for ladies to get make-up applied professionally, before a night out on town. A Delhi-based make-up artist who charges an astounding Rs 15,000 for “party make-up” reasons, “What is Rs 15,000 when the cost of your clothes and jewellery is Rs 50 lakh?”
THE BIG B
Children’s birthday parties are no longer just about a chocolate cake or passing the parcel: they can be as elaborate as weddings. Fantasy lands are recreated for the occasion, sometimes costing over Rs 3 lakh. Popular ideas range from a Harry Potter theme held in a partially lit Gothic building, or a Cinderella party with professional dancers to entertain the toddlers. “Parents who can afford it, love to make their kid’s dreams come true,” explains Meher Sarid, a party stylist based in Delhi. At a birthday party for his four-year-old daughter, a diamond merchant based in Cuffe Parade in Mumbai, gave little diamond pendants on a leather strap as the return gift to all the guests. At another party in Delhi, the return gift was an I-Pod Nano. Even banks have acknowledged the rising cost of birthday parties and some, like the State Bank of India and the Bank of Baroda offer loans for them. “These come under the category of personal loan,” says M.L. Dahiya, manager, home loans, Bank of Baroda. Even the instalments don’t play party pooper.
— Vandana Kalra
WHEEL IT OUT
The ultimate status symbol in cars remains the Maybach (Rs 5.25 crore), followed by the Bentley Arnage (Rs 2 crore), and the Porsche 911 Carrera (between Rs 64 lakh to Rs 71 lakh). The Maybach can be personalised in a million different ways, making every car a one-of-a-kind piece. However, there are just two Maybachs on Indian roads, one belongs to Mukesh Ambani, and the second to pan masala tycoon Rasiklal Maniklal Dhariwal.
— Meher Fatma
BAG TAG
The Louis Vuitton handbag that flashes the logo prominently had every fashion victim falling over backwards to procure one. The LV craze has since abated, and the handbag has lost some of its exclusivity because it’s become so common and since other brands like Chanel and Dunhill have set up stores here. However, Louis Vuitton luggage still holds a premium over any other brand and recent estimates suggest that over 10 items of luggage sell per day from the flagship LV store in Delhi. Similarly, though Indians have traditionally stuck to the family jeweller, branded jewellery by companies like Bvlgari and Tiffany are doing well in India. The recently launched diamond-encrusted Cristal watch by Dior, priced at Rs 9.65 lakh has received several enquiries though a sale has yet to be made.
— Leher Kala
SAMSUNG SMT-I8080
In the age of cell phones, Samsung has launched a Net-enabled landline phone. The Samsung SMT-I8080 has a lip-up LCD and embedded video camera that allows the user to watch internet TV using the phone’s navigation buttons below the screen. However, if you’re not used to using corded handsets anymore, this one is not for you.
BLUETOOTH MOUSE
This V470 cordless laser mouse for laptops uses Bluetooth 1.2 and can run on any Bluetooth-enabled computer. Available in metallic blue, the mouse operates for up to four months on standard batteries and also has a battery life indicator that informs you in advance if the battery is about to die. The mouse comes with a three-year hardware warranty and its smooth cursor control lets you operate it on any surface except glass.
INFLATABLE JET SKI VIDEO GAME
If you are tired of your little one glued to the PlayStation all day then it’s time you get this inflatable video game. The remote game console plugs into the TV for instant action. The 52-inch inflatable Jet Ski racer comes with a foot pump for quick inflation. The video game requires full body exercise as once you climb aboard the Jet Ski you will be bouncing just like on real waves. So your kid is having fun while working out. The game is only recommended for children ages 6 and up, with a weight limit of 110 pounds.
THERMADOR COOKTOP
You don’t have to go frantic with worry wondering if you left the gas burner on. This sleek cooktop has safe operation features, can detect changes in surface temperatures and will automatically shut off if there is any spill, gas leak or prolonged use. The cooktop is available in a black or silver mirror finish and the sizes range from 15 inch to 36 inch. The glass surface always stays cool to touch, making it safer than ordinary gas burners. Since only the pan is heated while cooking, the spills do not bake or crust into the cooktop and can be wiped off easily.
THERMO MP3 COOLER
Standard plastic coolers are now passé. The next time you’re off for a trip, take along this Thermo MP3 player that can keep 16 cans cool and also play your favourite tunes. The cooler has nylon exteriors and two speakers in the front that can be attached to any MP3 player. It also includes an input jack and a storage pocket for your iPod. It’s also easy to move around as it is light and has a shoulder strap.
POLKAUDIO SURROUNDBAR50
This sleek audio system is 51 inches of speaker that gives you surround sound from just one speaker. It comes with a bracket that can be kept either above or below the TV. The aluminum-covered unit contains mid/bass drivers with magnets. This product works well for those people who want the effects of a home theatre at home but don’t want unnecessary wires. www.gizmodo.com
Prices on request
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