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Manu Joseph: Why do so many public figures have exaggerated tales of past poverty?

The article criticizes public figures for fabricating "rags-to-riches" stories, often confusing being broke with true poverty. The author argues that poverty is an environmental condition, not a temporary misfortune of the fortunate. He uses examples like Joseph Vijay and Sundar Pichai to illustrate how even seemingly "hard-won" successes often stem from inherent advantages and luck, especially for "nepo-babies." These "inspirational stories" are deemed harmful, fostering a false belief in a universal path out of poverty and unfairly blaming those who remain poor. The author highlights a societal denial of privilege and its role in success.

LiveMint · Manu Joseph · May 17, 2026 at 7:30 AM

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