The Diamond King Who Built an Empire by Giving It Away

In a world where corporate success is often measured by profit margins and shareholder dividends, the story of Savji Dholakia stands out like a flawless 24-carat diamond. He is not just a billionaire businessman; he is a man who redefined the relationship between an employer and an employee. As the founder of Hari Krishna Exports, a diamond manufacturing and exporting company, Dholakia has built a ₹15,000 crore empire. However, his fame does not come from his bank balance. It comes from his heart.

​Savji Dholakia is known globally as the "Diamond King" who gifts cars, houses, and jewelry to his workers. But if you ask him, he isn't giving gifts. He is sharing the fruits of a labor that was never his alone. His journey from a small village in Gujarat to the pinnacle of the global diamond trade is a masterclass in grit, vision, and, most importantly, radical empathy.

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The Boy from Amreli with Twelve Rupees

​The story begins in 1977 in the small village of Dudhala in the Amreli district of Gujarat. Savji was born into a simple farming family. Like many young men in the region at the time, he realized that the dry lands of his village could not sustain his big dreams. At the age of thirteen, with nothing but a primary school education and twelve rupees in his pocket, he dropped out of school and boarded a bus to Surat.

​Surat was then, as it is now, the beating heart of the world’s diamond polishing industry. Savji started as a trainee at his uncle's diamond polishing unit. He spent long, grueling hours hunched over a spinning wheel, learning how to turn a rough, dull stone into a sparkling gem. He wasn't just learning a trade; he was learning the value of precision, patience, and hard work.

​From Polishing Stones to Building Dreams

​After ten years of mastering the craft and understanding the market, Savji decided it was time to build something of his own. In 1992, along with his three brothers, he founded Hari Krishna Exports. The beginnings were modest, but the vision was massive. Savji realized early on that in the diamond business, trust is the only real currency.

​He didn't just want to sell diamonds; he wanted to build a brand that people could rely on. He focused on quality and ethics, ensuring that every stone leaving his factory was perfect. As the business grew, so did the workforce. But unlike many entrepreneurs who saw employees as mere "resources," Savji saw them as his extended family. He remembered his own days as a struggling worker and vowed that if he ever made it big, his people would rise with him.

​The Diwali Bonuses That Shocked the World

​The name Savji Dholakia became a household word across India and the globe because of his legendary Diwali bonuses. While most companies give their employees a box of sweets or a small cash bonus, Savji decided to go a different route. In 2014, he made headlines by gifting hundreds of cars, flats, and diamond jewelry to his top-performing employees.

​The scale of his generosity was staggering. In one year, he distributed over 1,200 cars and 400 apartments. He believed that if an employee is worried about their basic needs—like a roof over their head or how to commute to work—they can never give 100 percent to the company. By taking care of their biggest life stresses, he bought something money usually can't buy: absolute loyalty and a deep sense of ownership.

​Culture Over Capital

​What makes the "Diamond King" different is his philosophy of "Employee First." He often says that his employees are the ones who made him a billionaire, so it is only fair that they live like millionaires. This isn't just a marketing gimmick. It is a deeply ingrained corporate culture.

​At Hari Krishna Exports, the environment is less like a factory and more like a community. There are prayer halls, high-quality canteens, and an atmosphere of mutual respect. Savji spends time on the factory floor, talking to the polishers and hearing their stories. He knows their names, their struggles, and their triumphs. This human touch is what turned a diamond company into an empire of hope.

​Teaching the Value of a Penny

​Despite his massive wealth, Savji Dholakia remains grounded, and he wants his family to stay that way too. A famous story involves his son, Dravya Dholakia. When Dravya returned to India after completing his studies in the United States, Savji didn't give him a desk in the executive office. Instead, he sent him to Kochi with only 7,000 rupees and told him to find a job and survive for a month on his own.

​He wanted his son to understand the struggle of a common man and the value of a single rupee. He wanted him to earn his place in the world rather than inheriting it. This lesson in humility reflects Savji’s own life. He knows that wealth is a tool, not a destination. By teaching his son the hardship of labor, he ensured that the legacy of empathy would continue for the next generation.

​A Model for Modern Leadership

​The success of Savji Dholakia challenges the traditional "cut-throat" business model. He proved that you don't have to exploit people to build a ₹15,000 crore company. In fact, he proved that being kind is actually good for business. His turnover increased as his reputation for generosity grew. The world's best diamond polishers wanted to work for him, and clients trusted him because they knew he treated his people well.

​His life is a reminder that the true strength of an empire is not found in the stones it sells, but in the people who polish them. He transformed a commodity business into a human-centric mission. He didn't just share wealth; he shared dignity.

​The Legacy of the Diamond King

​Today, Savji Dholakia is involved in numerous philanthropic efforts beyond his company. From water conservation projects in his home state of Gujarat to supporting education for the underprivileged, his impact is felt far and wide. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his social work and contribution to the industry.

​His story is a beacon of light for any aspiring entrepreneur. It tells us that you can start with twelve rupees and end with an empire. It tells us that your background does not define your future. Most importantly, it tells us that the best way to grow your own garden is to make sure everyone around you has the water and sunlight they need to grow theirs too.

​Savji Dholakia remains a simple man at heart, often seen in a plain white shirt, smiling among his workers. He is a man who turned rough stones into diamonds, and ordinary workers into partners in progress. In the glittering world of diamonds, he is the brightest spark of all.