Category: Life & Style

Welcome to The Billionaire’s Trove: Top 3 Luxe Holdings, presented by AsiaOne Magazine. Embark on an exclusive journey into the lavish world of the wealthiest billionaires.
In this captivating series, we unveil the most extravagant assets owned by these business titans, from architectural marvels and private islands to groundbreaking tech enterprises and historic artworks. Get ready for an unprecedented glimpse into the portfolios that define the pinnacle of success and opulence.
Each feature in The Billionaire’s Trove series offers an intimate look at the leaders behind the wealth, the companies they’ve built or acquired, and the staggering net worth that position them among the world’s elite. Join us in celebrating the extraordinary achievements and exclusive lifestyles that accompany being at the forefront of economic influence and innovation.

Mukesh Ambani

Mr. Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire business magnate and the Chairman, Managing Director, and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), a conglomerate holding company headquartered in Mumbai, India. Reliance Industries is India’s most valuable company by market value, with interests in petrochemicals, refining, oil, telecommunications, and retail. Under his direction, Reliance has made significant investments in clean energy, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. The company aims to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2035, with extensive investments in renewable energy.

Antilia

Antilia is a private residence in Mumbai, India, that stands out as one of the most extravagant homes globally. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, one of India’s wealthiest individuals, Antilia is notable for its opulence and its unique design. Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic, Antilia was designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm Perkins and Will, along with the Australian-based construction company Leighton Holdings.

The building is 27 stories tall but, due to its high ceilings, its height is equivalent to that of a 40-story skyscraper. Antilia includes multiple luxurious amenities such as three helipads, a 168-car garage, a ballroom, terraced gardens, a temple, guest suites, a health level with a gym, a “snow room” that emits snowflakes from the walls, a home theatre that seats 50, and several swimming pools.

The building has a multi-story garden that includes hydroponic plants, which helps in keeping the interior temperature cool and acts as an energy-efficient feature. The construction of Antilia is estimated to have cost approximately $2 billion, making it one of the world’s most expensive private residences.

The Mumbai Indians (MI)

The Mumbai Indians (MI) cricket team, owned by India’s wealthiest businessman, Mukesh Ambani, through Reliance Industries’ 100% subsidiary IndiaWin Sports, is one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Mumbai Indians were founded in 2008, the inaugural year of the IPL. The team is one of the most successful in IPL history, having won the title five times as of my last update in April 2023. Their victories came in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, making them the first team to win the championship five times. Mumbai Indians is among the most valuable IPL franchises, with a significant fan base and substantial commercial partnerships. Their brand value is attributed to their on-field successes, star-studded team, and strategic marketing.

The team holds several records, including the highest number of championship wins in the IPL. Individual players have also achieved significant milestones while playing for MI, including Lasith Malinga, who is the all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history.

Stoke Park

Stoke Park, located in Buckinghamshire, England, is a prestigious country club, hotel, and spa known for its rich history and luxurious facilities. Stoke Park’s history dates back to the Norman Conquest, with the recorded history of the estate beginning in the Domesday Book of 1086. The mansion at the heart of the estate, Stoke Park House, was completed in 1795 and is one of the first country houses in England to be built in a Palladian style. The mansion was designed by James Wyatt, a renowned architect of the 18th century, for John Penn. The estate encompasses a magnificent 300-acre parkland, which was landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the famous landscape architect who is credited with creating the English garden style.

The estate has served as a filming location for several notable films and television shows. Perhaps most famously, it appeared in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” (1964), where it doubled as the fictional Royal St. Mark’s Golf Club. It has also been featured in “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “Layer Cake” (2004), and the romantic comedy “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001).

Source: India Times

India received the Measles and Rubella Champion Award for its vigorous efforts in combating these diseases. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan accepted the award on behalf of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on March 6.

The Measles and Rubella Partnership, including agencies like the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, commended India’s dedication to reducing global measles deaths and rubella illness.

India’s commitment to public health and leadership in controlling infectious diseases among children was acknowledged, particularly through its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and proactive MR vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. Despite challenges, India has made significant progress in reducing measles and rubella cases and preventing outbreaks, with 50 districts not having any measles cases and 226 districts reporting no rubella cases in the last year. The MR vaccine has been part of India’s UIP since 2017, aiming for the disease’s elimination.

The award recognises the efforts of frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities nationwide. India’s robust surveillance systems and public awareness initiatives have played a crucial role. The government remains committed to eliminating measles and rubella from the country, prioritising the health and well-being of its population.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Agra Metro Rail Project’s priority corridor, linking UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Sikandra Tomb for tourists. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Agra Metro from the Taj Mahal Metro Station and rode to the Taj East Gate Metro Station.

The first corridor comprises 14 stations, with six completed, including elevated stations like the Taj East Gate and underground ones like the Taj Mahal. Initially, the service will operate between these six stations from 6 am to 10 pm, with fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 30. The service opens to the public on March 7.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (UP SSF), which has 150 personnel deployed, is in charge of managing 28 CCTV cameras per station as part of security measures. Additionally, local craftsmanship is showcased at the stations, with added selfie points.

Key features of the Agra Metro project include two corridors covering 30 km, with 27 stations (20 elevated, 7 underground), and an estimated cost of Rs 8,379 crore. The first corridor spans 14 km from Taj East Gate to Sikandra, while the second connects Agra Cantt Station to Kalindi Vihar. The trains can accommodate 973 passengers, feature regenerative braking for electricity production, and are monitored from the PAC Depot control room.

On Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro section in Kolkata, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transportation history.

This section features the deepest metro station in India, the Howrah metro station, situated 30 metres below ground. Covering 4.8 kilometres, it’s a crucial part of the East-West Metro corridor, linking areas like Salt Lake Sector V, an IT hub. The project cost approximately ₹4,965 crore, with 10.8 kilometres of the total 16.6-kilometre corridor underground, including the river tunnel.

The underwater journey spans 520 metres and takes just 45 seconds, promising rapid and efficient transportation. Ticket prices range from ₹5 to ₹50 depending on the distance, with fares escalating from ₹5 for the first two kilometres.

The inauguration also included the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport line and the Taratala-Majerhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line, expanding Kolkata’s metro network.

During the inauguration, PM Modi rode the underwater metro with school students amidst enthusiastic crowds chanting slogans. He also laid the foundation stone for connectivity projects worth ₹15,400 crores, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure. This development not only enhances Kolkata’s connectivity and urban mobility but also signifies a leap in India’s transportation technology and infrastructure.

On Sunday, Flipkart introduced its UPI service, Flipkart UPI, aiming to boost digital payment solutions for its vast user base of over 500 million customers and contribute to India’s digital advancement. Axis Bank powers Flipkart UPI, which is initially available to Android users. Registration involves obtaining a unique @fkaxis handle, enabling fund transfers and checkout payments within the Flipkart app.

Post-launch, Flipkart plans to integrate loyalty features such as Supercoins, cashback, and brand vouchers to enhance customer engagement. Dheeraj Aneja, Senior Vice President at Flipkart, emphasises their commitment to fostering a digitally empowered society through Flipkart UPI.

The UPI offering facilitates seamless online and offline transactions both within and beyond the Flipkart marketplace. It streamlines recharges, bill payments, and merchant transactions, enhancing overall payment efficiency.

In 2023, UPI recorded over 117 billion transactions totalling Rs 182.84 trillion, highlighting its rapid growth and widespread adoption. Flipkart acknowledges the dynamic landscape, emphasising collaboration among banks, payment service providers, and fintech firms.

Sanjeev Moghe, President & Head of Cards & Payments at Axis Bank, lauds the partnership’s evolution, from launching co-branded credit cards to introducing Flipkart UPI. The collaboration highlights Flipkart’s commitment to driving innovation and expanding its UPI ecosystem.

On March 1, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates visited the iconic Statue of Unity in Gujrat. During his visit to India, he labelled the Statue of Unity as an ‘engineering marvel’ and extended gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and CM Bhupendra Patel for their invitation and hospitality.

Gates shared a video capturing his presence in front of the towering 597-foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The video swiftly amassed more than a million views, eliciting reactions across social media platforms. Gates admired the statue’s grandeur, highlighting its significance in his post. Social media users hailed Gates as a prominent advocate for Indian tourism, emphasising his role in promoting the country’s cultural landmarks.

Before he visited the Statue of Unity, Gates captivated the internet by collaborating with Dolly Chaiwalla, a vendor from Nagpur, in a video showcasing traditional chai-making techniques. Gates underscored the innovation ingrained in Indian culture, appreciating the intricacies of preparing a simple cup of tea.

From exploring monumental landmarks to engaging with traditional practices, Gates’ endeavours in India reflect his profound interest in Indian culture and society. His activities have sparked widespread attention online, showcasing his dedication to experiencing and celebrating the diverse facets of Indian life during his visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹35,700 crore in Jharkhand. He emphasised Jharkhand’s crucial role in India’s development, highlighting the inauguration of the ₹8,900-crore fertilizer plant in Sindri, Dhanbad district, as a significant step.

PM Modi expressed confidence in Jharkhand’s potential to contribute to India’s progress, referring to it as a source of power for the nation’s development. With a 12.7 LMT urea production capacity annually, the fertiliser factory hopes to support domestic production for the benefit of farmers throughout the nation.

The Sindri factory, which was resurrected after Gorakhpur and Ramagundam, is India’s third fertiliser facility. Additionally, he emphasised the need for urea production to be self-sufficient, pointing out that it has increased from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to 310 lakh metric tonnes at present.

PM Modi also announced coal, power, and rail projects in Jharkhand that totalled more than ₹26,000 crores, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the state’s advancement. He hailed the investment as the realisation of his pledge to bring the Sindri plant back to life and as a major step towards India becoming self-sufficient in urea manufacturing.

On Thursday, PM Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated an airstrip and jetty at Agaléga Islands. The initiative emphasises their strategic partnership in addressing Indian Ocean challenges. Funded by Indian grants, the upgraded infrastructure aims to increase Mauritius’ ability to monitor and combat piracy, terrorism, and illegal activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

PM Modi highlighted joint efforts in maritime security, focusing on mutual cooperation in monitoring the EEZ, joint patrolling, hydrography, and disaster relief. Jugnauth emphasised the importance of addressing infrastructural gaps while reaffirming Mauritius’ sovereignty over Agaléga, dismissing claims of it becoming a military base. Additionally, he condemned anti-India sentiments in Mauritius, stressing the project’s mutual benefits.

The expanded airstrip and jetty accommodate larger aircraft and vessels, facilitating regional stability. India’s commitment aligns with its “Neighbourhood First” policy and the vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

PM Modi emphasized India’s contribution to Mauritius’ infrastructure and health sector during crises like the COVID-19 epidemic. Jugnauth announced Mauritius’ participation in India’s Jan Aushadhi initiative, aiming to improve access to quality generic medicines.

The partnership extends beyond infrastructure to encompass digital connectivity and shared priorities as members of the Global South.

The first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, will open its doors to the public on March 1. The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha spent approximately Rs 700 crore building the temple on a 27-acre site close to Al Rahba.

Overseas devotees and VIPs had exclusive access from February 15 to 29, while the temple will now be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays.

Built with 18 lakh bricks and 1.8 lakh cubic metres of sandstone from Rajasthan, the temple follows the Nagara style of architecture, similar to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan, Tirupati Balaji, and Lord Ayappa are among the gods represented by the idols on the seven towers. The seven Shikhars stand in for the seven UAEs.

The temple boasts 402 pillars, two ghumats (domes), and 12 samrans (dome-like structures). Holy water from the Ganga and Yamuna flows on the temple’s sides, symbolising purity.

The temple, constructed by craftsmen from Gujarat and Rajasthan, features marble sculptures set against a background of sandstone made up of more than 25,000 stone fragments that were brought in from northern Rajasthan.

On Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi recently introduced India’s four astronaut designates, elite fighter pilots from the Indian Air Force, selected for the Gaganyaan mission.

The four astronauts, IAF’s group captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, group captain Ajit Krishnan, group captain Angad Pratap, and wing commander Shubhanshu Shukla, have undergone extensive training for five years in Russian and Indian facilities. During the ceremony at the ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, they were awarded “Antrisksh Yatri Pank” (astronaut wings) by PM.

He emphasised that astronauts carry the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians into space, marking a four-decade gap since India last ventured into space. The mission is set for 2025 and will demonstrate its human spaceflight capability by sending a three-person crew into low-Earth orbit for three days.

ISRO’s progress for the Gaganyaan mission includes modifying its Launch Vehicle Mark-3 and extensive testing of systems to ensure astronaut safety. The agency has successfully tested engines and completed milestones like the human rating of the CE20 cryogenic engine. It also inaugurated key space infrastructure projects worth about ₹1,800 crore, enhancing India’s space capabilities.

PM expressed optimism about India’s space economy, projecting a fivefold growth to $44 billion in ten years, and also hinted at future lunar missions aimed at retrieving samples from the Moon.