Indians love gold, or as Oprah would put it, we LOHHHVVVE gold. We get anxiety attacks over gold prices and heart attacks over how to keep it safe. Come any marriage function, we OD over it, flaunting every jewellery item with a bling-a-ling-a fervour.But surely, some of us find it hard to hide our aforementioned Loohhve. We have termed them gold men, and their super powers are –well, hmmm.. they wear a lot of gold. So here’s presenting India’s most famous gold obsessed men, who strictly believe in the saying-“If you have it, flaunt it”.
- Pankaj Parakh
The latest to join the golden men group, this Maharashtra NCP corporator admits being obsessed by the metal since his childhood. He often embarrasses his wife at functions by wearing nearly 3 kgs of gold ornaments, while his wife looks stark with her 40-50 grams! His family doesn’t share his enthusiasm for gold though, but he feels it is his passion for gold - and sheer guts that make him wear so much of the shiny metal. And to mark his 45th birthday, Parakh got himself a 1.3 crore, 4 kg shirt, made of gold. If you look like him when you step out of the house, even you would want some protection, which Parakh ensures by keeping a revolver with him at all times.
- Datta Phuge
It turns out Pankaj Parakh’s golden shirt idea wasn’t so original after all. His efforts to get himself a shiny shirt was fueled by his desire to beat the world record set by Datta Phuge, whose wife is an NCP corporator (oh boy, after these two examples, we hope you now know which profession and political party to chose in life) Made of 22-carat pure gold, weighing 3.5 kg and worth Rs1.27 crore, the blinding shirt is accessorized by two huge bracelets, more than five necklaces and rings on all his fingers except one. Trying to explain his gold obsession, he offers this simple explanation. "Some people ask me why I'm wearing so much gold but it was my dream. People have different aspirations. Some elite people want to own an Audi or Mercedes, and have big cars. I chose gold" he told BBC. Next on his wish list-a gold mobile phone.
- Jagdish Gaikwad
Bhai or Gaikwad is in the pipeline business. His love for gold began in his youth when he felt that gold ornaments suit him (holy self-discovery). And since then, he has been slowly adding to the collection that is the gold ornaments on his body. "I claim that no one in the world wears as much gold as I do. All the gold I wear is heavy and good quality. The ornaments aren't hollow. If you hit someone with it, it can do serious injury”. Well, that seems like a “solid” reason enough for a gold obsession. In the next 10 years, he wants fame , the title of 'Sonewala Baba' and own atleast 25KG of gold. Well, if that's not a life ambition to have, then what is!
- Ramesh Wanjale
The late Ramesh Wanjale can be credited for starting this trend. A farmer from Pune, he benefited immensely from the land price escalation. A well known politician, he left Congress to join MNS , but Wanjale his claim to fame was surely his identification as the “gold man. Always seen with thick gold chains around his neck, gold bracelets on hands and gold rings, Wanjale, used to attract curious onlookers when he campaigned wearing nearly 2 kgs of gold.It worked, because he won.
- Bappi Lahiri
Well, he may not have the maximum amount of gold compared to the rest of the men in the club, but he surely is the most famous. His trademark gold chains, rings and bracelets are there for all to see and have become an extension of his personality. Bappi Da, going Ole Ole, with his tummy and chains chiming in rhythmical support, is a sight not to be missed. Never change Bappi Da, never change.
- Samrat Moze
Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Samrat Moze (30), who is hoping to contest from Panel 14 in Shivajinagar, has gained recognition for sporting gold ornaments weighing 8.5 kg that cost over Rs 2.37 crore.
Apart from being a rich farmer’s son, Moze is also a tourist bus operator at Shivajinagar. Commenting on his work after he entered active politics a decade ago, Moze stated that so far, he has organised health workshops for women, blood donation camps and has ferried nearly 5,000 pilgrims to religious places such as Akkalkot, Tuljapur and Pandharpur. "I’m sure that the party high command will appreciate my work and allow me to contest for the elections on my merit."
8.5 kg
The quantity of gold worn by Samrat Moze
- Jagdish Gaikwad
Bhai or Gaikwad is in the pipeline business. His love for gold began in his youth when he felt that gold ornaments suit him (holy self-discovery). And since then, he has been slowly adding to the collection that is the gold ornaments on his body. "I claim that no one in the world wears as much gold as I do. All the gold I wear is heavy and good quality. The ornaments aren't hollow. If you hit someone with it, it can do serious injury”. Well, that seems like a “solid” reason enough for a gold obsession. In the next 10 years, he wants fame , the title of 'Sonewala Baba' and own atleast 25KG of gold. Well, if that's not a life ambition to have, then what is!
- Ramesh Wanjale
The late Ramesh Wanjale can be credited for starting this trend. A farmer from Pune, he benefited immensely from the land price escalation. A well known politician, he left Congress to join MNS , but Wanjale his claim to fame was surely his identification as the “gold man. Always seen with thick gold chains around his neck, gold bracelets on hands and gold rings, Wanjale, used to attract curious onlookers when he campaigned wearing nearly 2 kgs of gold.It worked, because he won.
- Bappi Lahiri
Well, he may not have the maximum amount of gold compared to the rest of the men in the club, but he surely is the most famous. His trademark gold chains, rings and bracelets are there for all to see and have become an extension of his personality. Bappi Da, going Ole Ole, with his tummy and chains chiming in rhythmical support, is a sight not to be missed. Never change Bappi Da, never change.
- Samrat Moze
Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) Samrat Moze (30), who is hoping to contest from Panel 14 in Shivajinagar, has gained recognition for sporting gold ornaments weighing 8.5 kg that cost over Rs 2.37 crore.
Apart from being a rich farmer’s son, Moze is also a tourist bus operator at Shivajinagar. Commenting on his work after he entered active politics a decade ago, Moze stated that so far, he has organised health workshops for women, blood donation camps and has ferried nearly 5,000 pilgrims to religious places such as Akkalkot, Tuljapur and Pandharpur. "I’m sure that the party high command will appreciate my work and allow me to contest for the elections on my merit."
8.5 kg
The quantity of gold worn by Samrat Moze