Heaven and hell ... I have wondered extensively about these places, grappling with questions about their existence, pondering if it is only accessible to the dead or are the living dwelling in them day to day?

Then came the greatest revelation of all, minus the angels and heavenly lights. But with beautiful Bollywood stars and stage lights instead.

The answer to my divine quest came in the form of a wedding, as the adage goes 'God works in mysterious ways'. But this was no ordinary wedding mind you. It was the wedding of Vanisha Mittal.

Who? You ask.

Vanisha, is a 23-year-old lass, whose UK-based Indian businessman father Lakshmi Mittal just blew a whopping 30 million pounds to marry her off.

Reading about this grand gala in the latrine was a big mistake as my bowels churned harder than usual. As my eyes scanned the unbelievable expenses incurred, another photograph on a magazine nearby caught my attention - that of a starving African child holding out an empty bowl to be filled by a UN relief worker. Such an irony was just too much to bear so early in the day.

As anger seeped into my veins, a little introspection followed. I wondered whether it was envy that I felt. It wasn't. It was utter disgust and sadness.

Laws of economics

It is suggested that the tycoon wanted to outdo his peers, but is there any pride or respect to be earned with such a grotesque display of wealth?

Obviously, the Mittals and I operate on different wavelengths.

I, for one, have never understood the laws of economics. Maybe paying greater attention in class would have helped.

But it has always baffled me how we can spend copious amounts of money on excesses and at the same time have television sets beam into our homes photographs of malnourished children from lands not too far away.

Just when I am beginning to piece together the puzzle, a wedding like this comes along and my bewilderment is compounded ten folds.

Imagine the fathers out there who are breaking their backs to put three meals on the table for their children reading about a man, whom according to one news report, spent half as much money as Bill Gates donated to fight Aids in India for his daughter's marriage.

Imagine this bright student I met recently in Kuala Lumpur, who was struggling to raise RM2,000 to pay for her examination, reading about how Vanisha, who is two years older, had superstar Kylie Minogue and a bevy of Bollywood stars at her wedding celebrations.

Imagine the children forced to earn a living through drugs and prostitution on the streets being told that a businessman had flown professional choreographers and renowned cooks halfway across the globe for his daughter's pre-wedding dinner.

Now, where is heaven and hell again?

It's their money

One friend, who despite being appalled by the expenses, pointed out that the Mittals have every right to do what they want with their money.

I do agree, even if this means giving jewellery to your daughter's wedding guests, converting a plush hotel floor into a beauty parlour, printing 20-page thick silver-cased invitation cards, having a week of pomp and pageantry culminating in Paris' Vaux le Viconte, exchanging rings at the Palace of Versailles as guests are entertained by a performance of Moulin Rouge kicking can-can girls, serving dinner in the Galerie des Batailles or having a henna artist flown down from India to Paris.

The wedding's cost was nearly double that of a recent royal wedding in Spain. The nuptials of its Crown Prince Felipe to TV anchorwoman Letizia Ortiz cost a mere $35 million.

Here's one quote that aptly sums up the Mittal's bash.

"I flew down in my private jet, expecting an extraordinary wedding... and I wasn't disappointed. I was touched by the personal attention Lakshmi (Mittal) gave to each guest. I wore my usual Armani suit, enjoyed the food. It was the showbiz shaadi (wedding) of the decade, quite an extraordinary event, be it the choice of venue or the outstanding arrangements."

These were the words of Indian businessman and MP Vijay Mallya, who was one of the 'privileged' guests at the wedding.

At the end of the day, I am sure Mr Mittal worked hard to be where he is today and loves his daughter immensely, to the point of showering such opulence upon her.

But somehow, I can't help but feel there is something seriously wrong with this fairy-tale wedding.

Nevertheless, may Vanisha and her banker beau Amit Bhatia, live happily ever after. The newlyweds, however, must remember that there are some things which money can't buy... at least I hope so.

RK ANAND is a member of malaysiakini .