From the diamond hub in poll season: Story of war and peace
Business Standard|May 02, 2024
The diamond industry is not looking for anything from the Lok Sabha elections, says Savji Dhanji Dholakia, 62, when asked about his expectations from the next government.
NIVEDITA MOOKERJI
From the diamond hub in poll season: Story of war and peace

The diamond business that he started with his brothers more than 40 years ago is among the most well-known not just in Surat, the diamond capital of India, but in many overseas markets.

Spread across acres of land complete with a helipad, the Ichhapore campus of Hari Krishna Exports, which manufactures and exports diamonds, is tough to cover walking. Golf carts are lined up to ferry employees and visitors (as in this case). A large photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the facility in 2017 occupies the main reception wall. Planning, cutting, and polishing the rough diamond are distinct units for producing a finished gem.

Advanced tech machines, mostly imported from the West, have changed the game in this niche industry.

"You can set the machine for a task and get on with other things," explains the guide pointing at a laser machine to cut diamonds and then to a water jet.

Even so, diamond engineers and polish artists, sitting in neat rows in large halls, are most in demand here.

This story is from the May 02, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

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This story is from the May 02, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

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