RAPAPORT… Savji Dholakia, the founder and chairman of Indian diamond manufacturer Hari Krishna Exports, has received one of the country’s most prestigious accolades in recognition of his contribution to communities.
The country has honored Dholakia with the Padma Shri award for his social work in the state of Gujarat, where Surat is located, according to a recent statement by the Indian government.
Known for his philanthropic efforts, the entrepreneur also founded the Dholakia Foundation, which has worked on projects such as ending water scarcity in the region. In 2017, he revealed plans to build a lake that would give local villagers maximum benefit from the monsoon season without having to walk long distances to wells, according to The Times of India.
He has also given extravagant gifts to employees as bonuses over the years, such as distributing hundreds of free cars to manufacturing workers in Surat before Diwali.
“I have never wished for appreciation and praise,” said Dholakia. “All I wanted was to help the villages. I thank the villagers, government, families, and all those who supported and allowed me to serve and accomplish things I wanted to do for society.”
Dholakia grew up in a farming family in the Gujarati village of Amreli. He came to Surat at the age of 13 after dropping out of school and joined his uncle in the diamond trade, according to a 2014 profile in India’s Business Standard.
India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) held a dinner in Mumbai to mark the award.
Image: Savji Dholakia. (Hari Krishna Exports)
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