From ₹12 to a ₹15,000 Crore Empire: The Dazzling Journey of India’s ‘Diamond King’

New Delhi, February 14, 2026: In the glittering world of the diamond trade, where fortunes are often guarded behind closed doors, one man has consistently made headlines for giving his fortune away. Savji Dholakia, the founder and Chairman of Hari Krishna Exports, has become a global symbol of corporate generosity. Known as the “Diamond King” of Surat, Dholakia’s life is the ultimate rags-to-riches story—a journey that began with a single bus ticket and blossomed into a ₹15,000 crore business empire.

A Humble Beginning: The ₹12.50 Bus Ticket

The story begins in 1977. A 13-year-old boy from the small village of Dudhala in Amreli, Gujarat, decided to leave school after the 4th grade. With only ₹12.50 in his pocket—just enough to cover the bus fare to Surat—Savji Dholakia set out to join his uncle’s diamond business.

His early years were defined by grueling labor and a meager monthly salary of ₹179. While most would have focused solely on survival, Dholakia focused on mastery. He spent over a decade learning the intricate art of diamond polishing, saving small amounts every month, and dreaming of something bigger.

Building the Empire: Speed and Spirit

In 1984, alongside his brothers Himmat and Tulsi, Savji founded Hari Krishna Exports. They started small, but their approach was revolutionary. While competitors took months to process rough diamonds, Dholakia’s team operated with “speed as survival,” completing cycles in a fraction of the time.

By 1992, the company expanded into exports, and today, it is a global powerhouse:

• Presence: Exports to over 80 countries.
• Workforce: Employs over 9,000 professionals.
• Valuation: An empire estimated at over ₹15,000 crore.

The “World’s Best Boss”: Why He Gifts Cars and Houses

What truly separates Savji Dholakia from other billionaires is his philosophy of “sharing the pie.” Since 2011, he has transformed the traditional Diwali bonus into a life-changing event.

His legendary “Loyalty Program” milestones include:

• 2014: Distributed incentives worth ₹50 crore, including hundreds of cars and flats.
• 2016: Gifted 1,260 cars and 400 flats to top-performing employees.
• 2018: Presented Mercedes-Benz SUVs to long-term employees who completed 25 years of service.
• Personal Touch: He has reportedly gifted over 4,000 employees cars or homes to date, ensuring they feel like “partners” rather than just workers.

Grounded Values: The Son Who Worked as a Waiter

Despite his immense wealth, Dholakia remains rooted in the values of hard work. In a move that stunned the business world, he sent his son, Dravya Dholakia, to Kochi with just ₹7,000 and three sets of clothes.

He forbade his son from using the family name or his mobile phone, forcing him to work odd jobs—including a stint as a waiter and bakery worker—to understand the value of a single rupee. It is this balance of extreme wealth and grounded humility that has earned him the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors.

A Legacy Beyond Diamonds

Today, the Diamond King is equally known for his environmental philanthropy. Through the Dholakia Foundation, he has constructed over 150 lakes across Gujarat to tackle water scarcity and has overseen the planting of millions of trees.

Savji Dholakia’s journey from a ₹12 bus ride to a ₹15,000 crore throne is a testament to the fact that in business, your greatest asset isn’t the gems you sell, but the people who help you polish them.