When I read the comments of Alex Mouttet, I was able to get the best example of hubris, which is excessive self-confidence bordering on pride and arrogance. Is Alex Mouttet the best warrior that the one percenter can come up with to assault the small doubles vendor? If I have to bet on a winner in this unprovoked encounter, I would choose the doubles vendor who is the epitome of David in the famed biblical fight between David and Goliath. Malcom Gladwell in his book ‘David and Goliath” (2013) detailed how the mighty Goliath was defeated.
Any financial guru would argue that it takes knowledge to create wealth. I was listening to a video with Jaspreet Singh stressing that education is central to making money, more than capital. Robert Kiosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame had similar sentiments to share. But I must say that Alex Mouttet has attempted to prove these financial gurus wrong. Hubris at its best!
Is Alex Mouttet the future of Prestige Holdings Ltd? If so, then Prestige Holdings has no future. Not surprisingly, Christian Mouttet, CEO of Prestige Holdings Ltd, has distanced himself from the bizarre comments made by Alex Mouttet. In a press release Christian Mouttet said that his company ‘respects and celebrates the efforts of all individuals to generate a better life for themselves and their families.’
A society is not controlled by those who controlled land and infrastructure but by those who have knowledge. Entrepreneurship means innovation to meet the changing needs of the society. And if today’s consumers are increasingly gravitating toward doubles and roti, then it would be best for Alec Mouttet to do some introspection than spouting venom.
Doubles and the range of Indian cuisines are local foods and not franchises like Starbucks, Pizza Hut, KFC, Church’s Chicken, Subway, Domino Pizza or Popeye’s. In fact, Ali’s and Sauce Doubles have become franchises in their own right! One must also congratulate Rituals and Mario’s which are two local enterprises.
In the 15th century, the western powers were eager to find a sea route to India to trade in spices and silk which were in great demand by the middle and upper classes. Tired of brigandage and the extortion of taxes, the western powers wanted a way out. This led to the voyages of Columbus and later the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama.
Despite several centuries of plunder and loot of India’s wealth, today India is the fastest growing economy among the large nations of the world. This is the resilience of the Indians that Alex Mouttet must accept and embrace.
While the Indian community produces doubles and vegetables vendors, it has also been successful in creating professionals in all walks of life. Indian industriousness has been responsible for the economic revival of the estates following the ending of slavery and the later diversification of our economy. Today, Indians are not only the road side doubles vendors but also professionals in all aspects of our social and economic life. Strong family life and community leadership have contributed toward this success.
The generosity of the Indian community has richly aided many itinerant Syrians plying their trade in the rural districts until 1980s. To what extent that early relation has helped the growth of the Syrian community should be the subject of research by our economists. Unfortunately, in the haste to make money history has been sacrificed, thus explaining the hubris (gobar) of Alex Mouttet.
Does Alex Mouttet understand that most major tech companies are ran by Indian CEOs? Sundar Pichai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft are among them. The President of the World Bank is Ajay Banga, another Indian. Is Alex Mouttet familiar with the names Shah Ruk Khan, the biggest name in cinema and Sri Narendra Modi?
Alex Mouttet is an embarrassment and a disappointment. He is the best example of how we should not behave.