Savji Dholakia, a name quite popular in the business corridors of today’s Gujarat was much unknown just a few decades ago. Dholakia, who comes from the Gujarati village of Dudhala in the Amareli area, quit school at the age of 13 to work in his uncle’s diamond business. Later, with a small loan from his uncle, he launched his own company. In 1991, after ten years of tireless efforts in the diamond polishing industry, he founded Hari Krishna Exports.
Success Story
We have all heard the message that if you want to succeed, you must put a lot of effort into your studies. But what if you’re a sixth-grade dropout? Would your life still be successful? Would you still aim to become wealthy? Savji Dholakia shattered this taboo, and everything thereafter remains history.
A School Dropout
At the age of 13, a farmer’s son and a school dropout immigrated to Surat and began working in the diamond cutting and polishing industry. He now runs one of India’s major diamond manufacturing and export companies, having been in business for about 40 years, and exports finished diamonds to more than 50 nations.
Struggling Days
On a monthly salary of Rs 169, Savji was hired by a small company in Surat. He experimented with cutting and polishing diamonds in his formative years before switching to the role of diamond trader. He had always harboured an entrepreneurial spirit and, with the help of his brothers, soon established Hari Krishna Exports. He has firsthand knowledge of every sector of the diamond trade, having worked in everything from diamond cutting and polishing to diamond brokerage and now owning Hari Krishna Exports.
Employees Are The Assets
Diamonds and Hari Krishna Exports go hand in hand, with Surat being known as the ‘diamond city’. Savji Kaka knows the true worth of money and labour because he has experienced the grind himself. Since he started the business, there has been a culture of employee friendliness, and his gratification practices are well-known all over the world. His gifting of apartments and cars to his staff has made international news. He fully adheres to the notion that “Employees are the Assets,” and it is this philosophy that has enabled him to lead Hari Krishna Exports to its present position.
Savji: A Heart Of Gold
As a Diwali bonus, he once gifted his employees 1260 cars and 400 apartments. He provides bonuses totaling more than Rs 50 crore to his employees each year. Car distribution has become a yearly ritual. He also gives fixed deposits to his staff as gifts. These pricey gifts are given to reward employees who achieve their goals. According to reports, the diamond dealer’s estimated net worth is close to Rs 12,000 crore.
Savji made his grandson labour like an ordinary person despite the plethora of wealth he possesses. After Ruvin Dholakia, Dholakia’s grandson, had returned from the United States post completing his schooling, senior Dholakia sent him to Chennai so that he may learn about the challenges they encounter every day. According to Savji Dholakia, life experience can produce a better instructor than any management programme. The usage of mobile devices was forbidden for Ruvin Dholakia. For any potential necessity, he received Rs 6000. Ruvin first spent nine days as a sales assistant at a clothing store and eight days as a waiter. He worked at a watch store for the final nine days.
