THE CLASS DIVIDE

The harrowing picture of poverty in India is very familiar. Whole families are sleeping on the streets of Calcutta and in wretched, unsanitary lean-to shacks. What is not so well known is the immense wealth of a handful of Indian capitalists. "The mansion of Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India, is something more than the average dream house. When construction is completed next year, his home will top 570 feet – the equivalent of a 60-story skyscraper – and include a helipad, six floors of parking, and 600 servants for a family of six." (Yahoo News, 18 December) RD