The Malang Billionaire

I have to confess that I am a man who once suffered from a serious internal conflict: The desire for Materialism (the need for material goods and, predominantly, the hunger for money) and Ascetic beliefs (to which I subscribe strongly).

A few moments ago, I resolved that conflict. I now find myself in utter harmony with these two opposable, yet interchangeable, forces. Until now, they were two polar extremes. Now, I have been enlightened again; they are actually two facets of the same ‘me’.

I want to be rich. In fact, I need to be rich. For a simple reason: I believe I want to do something to change the world. I believe it is my duty to do so. I believe, very strongly, that my best shot at changing the world, one stretch of barren land at a time, will come from what I enjoy doing: My work and my writing. If I excel in one or the other (or both), I stand a chance at being rich. If I can be a rich man while I still have energy in me, I can make a difference.

Because I am a privileged individual: I have seen Pakistan in more depth than many people, dare I say most people. I have seen schools, set up by women who do not even want to be showcased, in the heart-land of Karachi’s gangs. I have seen tireless academics toiling away deep in rural North, working to save the environment. I have witnessed poverty, bullet shells, and the despondency of hopelessness up close and personal. I have had the pleasure of meeting the true un-sung and truly fame-less heroes of Pakistan.

Moreover, my privilege comes not entirely out of choice of movement, but choice of employment. Through luck, some mad decisions, some intelligent moves, I have had exposure to the seed of money. The right kind of money. The mega-billion invested by individuals and corporations into society – social opportunity is a profitable and tangible business.  Many smart, intelligent and business savvy people (for reasons of altruism or otherwise) have entered this domain. Working with them, I have had access to management of these funds, and their deployment.

You will not need a quantum leap of faith to believe that these people all have our best interests at heart. You will need to understand the concept of the ‘Malang’ billionaire. Be it a firm, person or Trust fund, this is our source of pride. It is our one, true, unrecognized connection to the humane face of Pakistan. These entities have moved beyond perceiving money as an object. They’ve accumulated enough of it. They now see it as a means of exchange. Its core value has become apparent to them and they are working for the ‘rush’ of getting things done.

I too aspire to work as they do. They never tire, they sacrifice their leisure, and they live the change paradigm. I wish to follow in these foot-steps. For in their lives, they have instilled a simplicity and balance that is almost ‘warren buffet-esque’. Simple houses, simple cars, millions of dollars; socially aware and doing something about it. They choose not to give to beggars, but to the root cause of begging.

So, in a conversation which took an interesting twist, it occurred to me that mine was a purposeful hunt for ‘game’. I wanted to enjoy a view of the world from the dizzying heights of power and money. I am beginning to get it; first via a policy institute whose members were men of fortune, sway and intellect. And now via a service oriented firm; whose clients are corporate giants with a conscience.

I decide these matters quickly when the truth presents itself clearly and cogently. Thanks to this conversation, it did. It was thus, barely a quarter of an hour ago, that I realized I did indeed crave material prowess. I crave it whilst content to see it build up from my simple, small and ascetic corner of the earth. It was here, in this mental escapade, that I realized I was working towards being a ‘Malang’ billionaire.

I hope that this post finds you in the right frame of mind, and that it has helped. It should ease the day a little: the message is out there. Grab out and reach it. 

Shahbaz Ali-Khan

Islamabad, Pakistan