READER'S DIGEST REFLECTION

READER'S DIGEST JUNE 2008 edition

STEEL MAGNATE (page 108)

by tim boquet

This particular article is about a billionare, Lakshmi Mittal. A guy whose business empire revovles around steel and the steel industry. He is an opportunist, grabbing hold of all chances to expand his business empire. As well as a global industrialist, employing 320,000 people in over 60 countries. Personally, I aspire to be just like him, an young entrepeneur, a wealthy billionare.

I admire the way Lakshmi Mittal does his things, from young, he been through poor and difficult times. However, motivated by his father, he got inspired and was determined to work hard. I totally agree with his father's creed, "Accept challenges. Don't get scared by new prospects." In life, one has to face the obstacles and difficulties in order to survive, in order to succeed. When faced with difficulties, take it on and with time, skill as well as luck, no challenge is too great for one. Likewise, Mittal did the same thing. Knowing very well that starting from scratch is too difficult, he find ways to solve it. He buys down, takes over other people's factory and turn it into his steel production farm.

Bending the rules and 'playing with fire' is his game. He dares to take a risk on and turning them to profit in double-quick time. Very few in the game is able to do that and i admire it. Personally, i believe this is the same with studies. As students, we must know how to find our best studying methods and put it to our best use. We can then be able to work in 'double-quick time', using limited amount of time but yet study a lot, absorb more knowledge than the rest.

Business and investments may be his game, but he does know how to enjoy life. He has a $113 million three-storey house with facilities that we "normal people" may not even see in our life. He has a jewelled swimming pool and turkish baths. I personally feel very jealous and hope to be able to enjoy such luxury in the future as well.

He has also spent a whooping amount of $67 million on his daughter, Vanisha's wedding. In my opinion this amount maybe a little too extravagant. I feel that the money should be put into better use, instead of the wedding. However, this is his money, no one can control what he wants to do with it.

Quoting from the article, "Philanthropy is on his agenda, though he keeps a low profile." I believe one should be humble and not boast about one's wealth. In this way, respect begets respect. You show to others that you are not boastful or proud, others will then respect you. Futhermore i think that with such wealth and assets, Mittal should help influence others and help others. This point, he did it. He aims to help Indian athletes develop their talents with and eye to the Olympics 2012. I believe that he should also use his money and donate it to charity, helping the poor in the way which he is able to help most, money. With this, he is able to give something back to the society and i think this is how life should be.

Quoting Mittal's words, "I have always adjusted my goalposts." I totally agree with what he does. Setting targets for yourself maybe a good thing, but one must also know how to set realistic goals. An over lofty ideal may end up badly. As the saying goes, the higher the expectation, the greater the fall. Adjusting the targets, moving ahead little by little and eventually reaching the "final destination" is how one should do it.

However there is a point raised about him in this article which i feel that he should change. It mentioned that he felt that he was too addicted in golf and from a certain day on, never played golf anymore. I feel that this is not the correct way to solve one's addiction. Instead of totally giving up on that particular addicition, he should control himself and limit his time in playing golf. This way, he can enjoy playing what he likes yet not over engrossed in it. As what his father said, when faced with a problem, challenge it, and not run away from it.

In all, i aspire to be just like Mittal. Successful, and rich. My target is far, but never too far if i strive for it, work hard for it.

done by: DARREN TEO BEI LIANG (3d, 30)