New Delhi: The wedding of Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant has become a widely discussed topic both in India and internationally.
As the younger Ambani marries Radhika, the daughter of Encore Healthcare CEO Viren Merchant, media outlets worldwide have extensively covered the lavish celebrations.
A report unveiled by Kutniti Foundation, a Delhi-based Operational Think Tank, highlights the Ambani wedding as the only India-related news in 2024 which is reported in a somewhat positive light by the international media. The report analyses coverage from over 160 large media outlets across 23 countries in the world that are most relevant to India. The report focused on the seven largest media outlets in each country, which collectively represent between 80% to 98% of readership. The analysis includes articles published between July 12 to July 16, 2024, categorized into positive, neutral, or negative perceptions.
The presence of renowned Western celebrities at the wedding has captured significant media attention. Unlike the usual focus on Indian politicians, cricketers, and singers by the foreign press, there is curiosity about how an Indian event could attract such global interest. In addition to this, the attendance of Kim and Khloe Kardashian at the wedding has led to them featuring their trip to India in their popular show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” This rare inclusion of Indian-related content in a major global program reflects a Kardashian echo chamber effect.
Global media’s rare depiction of Indian and Hindu culture has sparked intrigue, with some newspapers highlighting aspects of Indian marriage customs and even referring to them as representative of “Hindu culture”. Described by some articles as the “Wedding of the Century,” the event has been portrayed as setting an unparalleled standard, positioning India momentarily as the best country for such extravagance.
Commenting on the media report, Mr. Ram Divedi, a geopolitician, former paramilitary officer and expert on country destabilization and CSO, Pravaig said “If you ask a foreigner to name the Indian Firms he knows, he will just name one: Tata, a car company. However, through its extravagant weddings, the Ambanis are giving India a second reference.”
Negative articles, the majority of which have been reported by the press in the US, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, have repeatedly featured the take of Agence France-Presse (AFP), emphasizing the extravagant finale of billionaire Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant’s wedding. The story highlights Ambani’s immense wealth, India’s rapid economic growth, and stark financial disparities. Criticism has been directed at the wedding’s budget, with many newspapers deeming it excessive, particularly when contrasted with the perceived poverty in India. This scrutiny serves as a stark reminder of the significant inequalities within the country.
