The price of influence

Priceless . . A private audience with India’s most powerful politician — Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi. But how do you woo the woman who turned down the opportunity to be the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy — not once but twice? Set up a hospital in her constituency Raebareli and invite her to cut the ribbon. That might just get you an audience. After that — it’s up to you. . . Rs390mn . . The most recent real estate deal that is also being touted as the most expensive saw a 3,320-sqft apartment at Tahnee Heights, a skyscraper on Nepean Sea Road in South Mumbai, sell for Rs120,000 (about Dh7,900) a square foot. It is a well-known fact that real estate prices are spiralling out of control, not just in Mumbai but all over the country. The Bhimjyani family has sold the property to pharma boss S.K. Jindal, who already owns three apartments in the building. But this headline-grabbing sale is still a drop in the ocean compared to Antilia, Mukesh Ambani’s 27-storey residence. It took an alleged $1 billion to build, features three helipads, six floors of car parking as well as a theatre and ballroom… small change for Ambani, ranked by Forbes as the ninth wealthiest person in the world with a fortune of $27 billion. . . $240,000 . . Created by chocolatier Paul Wittamer and jeweller Fabienne Lascar, it comes with a 3.63-carat diamond. The base is made of praline from dark ganache and caramel with essence of ginger and gold leaf. The perfect accompaniment to invitations such as the 25 silver invites for the wedding of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s daughter. Rumours have it that the announcements were accompanied by a five-kilo hand-carved silver centrepiece, jade necklaces and diamond watches. . . About Rs5bn . . Owned by Vijay Mallya, the Indian Empress is as luxurious as they come. It has spawned a whole new category of yachts called the ‘gigayachts’. But we have to admit she is dwarfed by the 158-metre yacht owned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. . . Rs1.57mn . . The sum it will take to turn your son into an heir apparent, India’s next Prime Minister, corporate tycoon, writer, journalist, author or designer. . The Doon School, a boys-only private boarding school in Dehradun, has by far one of the most prestigious alumni that boasts names such as Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani, author Amitav Ghosh, and the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi among a host of other politicians, bureaucrats, heads of state, sportsmen, artists, musicians and titular princes. Needless to say, the admission tests are really tough. . . $534,614 . . Wouldn’t it be worth getting older each year if, like Twinkle Khanna’s Bollywood superstar husband Akshay Kumar, your’s decided to be super generous and give you a silver Bentley? Mrs Khanna was thrilled to join the ranks of India’s select Bentley owners that include the Ambanis, Vijay Mallya, and the Bachchans. Now that’s what we call sweet, sweet lovin’! . . $75mn . . What you need to cough up to own your own Indian Premier League team, or at least that’s what Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan allegedly paid to get himself a slice of the Kolkata Knight Riders pie. But considering that he reportedly charges Rs250mn per film plus a share of the profit, it’s hardly going to break the bank. . . Rs531,000 . . That’s what the most expensive hotel suite in India will cost you for a night, including taxes and breakfast. The Grand Presidential suite at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, is spread across 16,000 square feet and is the epitome of style and elegance. It boasts stunning views of the Aravalli mountains and city palaces. The hotel has played host to none other than Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy. In 1982 the James Bond movie Octopussy was partly shot at the Lake Palace. . . Rs2.42mn . . What’s even better than being the richest man in India? Being his wife. On her 44th birthday, Nita Ambani, billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s wife, was gifted her very own Airbus 319 corporate jet. The jet comes complete with an office, a cabin with game consoles, music systems, satellite television and wireless communication. . . $3,500 . . The cost for a kilo of French Périgord black truffles. So far the only takers have been five-star eateries, but we can spot a trend just waiting to be set. If you happen to be in Delhi and crave a bite, head to the Olive Bar and Kitchen, The Imperial Hotel, or the Le Méridien. So prized is this fungus that it appears on the menu created by Rajesh Wadhwa, Executive Chef, Taj Palace Hotel Mumbai, for US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, every time she stays at the hotel.

The price of influence

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