From a small village in Gujarat to becoming one of the world’s leading diamond exporters, Savji Dholakia’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Known for gifting Mercedes, BMW cars and luxury homes to his employees, Dholakia started his business with just ₹37 in his pocket. Due to extreme poverty, he was forced to drop out of school in Class 5.
Today, his company Hari Krishna Exporters and brand KISNA Diamonds together run a business worth over ₹12,000 crore. But the road to success was filled with hardship, struggle, and determination.
A Childhood Marked by Poverty and Responsibility
Savji Dholakia was born in Dudhala village of Amreli district, Gujarat, into a humble farming family. Financial conditions at home were extremely poor. With no stable source of income, the family struggled to meet daily needs.
At just 13 years of age, Savji had to leave school. He could not even complete Class 5. While other children were studying, he was already thinking about how to support his family.
Left for Surat with Just ₹12.50 and No Shelter
The year 1977 changed his life forever. With only ₹12.50 in his pocket, Savji left his village and headed to Surat, India’s diamond hub. He had no place to stay, no relatives, and no job waiting for him.
Many nights were spent without proper shelter, but he never lost hope. He started visiting diamond polishing units in Surat, asking for work.
From Diamond Polisher to Business Leader
Savji finally got a job as a diamond polisher. His first monthly salary was just ₹179, out of which he managed to save ₹39. That small saving became the foundation of his big dreams.
For the next 10 years, he worked tirelessly, learning every detail of diamond cutting and polishing. He not only mastered the skill but also understood that trust and honesty are the backbone of this business.
Birth of Hari Krishna Exporters
In 1984, Savji Dholakia, along with his brothers Himmat and Tulsi Dholakia, founded Hari Krishna Exporters. The company started small, but with dedication, transparency, and hard work, it grew rapidly.
Savji always believed that success is never individual. According to him, a company grows only when its people grow. This belief shaped his unique relationship with his employees.
Famous for Gifting Cars and Homes to Employees
Savji Dholakia made headlines when he began gifting cars, flats, and jewellery to employees during Diwali. For him, employees are not just workers, they are family.
In 2025, he gifted three senior employees Mercedes-Benz GLS SUVs worth nearly ₹3 crore each. These were employees who had joined him over 25 years ago and stayed loyal through every phase of growth.
Strong Commitment to Social Service
Beyond business, Savji Dholakia is deeply involved in social work. Through the Dholakia Foundation, he has built ponds, check dams, and water conservation projects in drought-prone areas of Gujarat, helping thousands of farmers.
In recognition of his contribution to society, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2022.
Final Words
Savji Dholakia’s life proves that background does not define destiny. A boy who dropped out of school in Class 5 and started with ₹37 is today a billionaire entrepreneur who changes lives.
His story is not just about business success—it is about vision, gratitude, and humanity.
