Rs 12 to Rs 12000 cr: Story of a 5th-fail businessman who gifts Mercedes, BMWs and flats as bonuses
IMAGINE being a 13-year-old boy, forced to leave school because his family cannot afford it. His future seems limited to the small fields of his village. This was the reality for young Savji Dholakia from Dudhala village in Gujarat.
In 1977, with nothing but a heart full of hope and 12 rupees and 50 paise in his pocket—just enough for a bus ticket—he left for the city of Surat. His goal was simple: to work and support his family.
His first job was in a diamond factory, earning a tiny salary of Rs 179 a month. Yet, even from this small amount, he would save Rs 39 every single month. It wasn't about getting rich quickly; it was about discipline, patience and a dream to build something of his own.
That dream took shape in 1984. Together with his brothers, he started a small diamond business named Hari Krishna Exporters. The early days were tough. The diamond business is full of risk and competition. But Savjibhai had something special—his deep belief in people.
For him, his employees were never just workers; they were family. He understood that a happy team builds a successful business. And he showed this belief most extraordinarily.
You might have heard about companies giving bonuses. But Savjibhai Dholakia redefined generosity. His legendary Diwali gifts became news across the country. He gifted homes, hundreds of scooters, and even luxury cars to show his appreciation. His philosophy was simple: "When my family prospers, my business prospers."
This belief continues to this day. Just recently, in 2025, he once again made headlines for his gratitude. He gifted three brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLS SUVs, worth over Rs 3 crore, to three senior employees. These weren't outsiders; they were loyal team members who had joined the company in their teens, 25 years ago, and now look after crucial departments. For Savjibhai, such gifts are not extravagance, but a heartfelt 'thank you' for a lifetime of shared struggle and success.
This unique culture of care and respect built a global diamond powerhouse from a small workshop. According to multiple media reports, his business is now valued at over Rs 12,000 crore, and his jewellery brand, 'KISNA', shines in thousands of stores.
The nation took note of his spirit of giving. In 2022, the Government of India honoured Savjibhai Dholakia with the Padma Shri, one of the country's highest civilian awards, for his distinguished service in social work in Gujarat.
But the real inspiration isn't in the awards or the numbers. It's in the man.
Despite being a billionaire and a Padma Shri awardee, Savjibhai remains a simple, grounded person. Through his Dholakia Foundation, he believes his true duty is to give back. He spends crores on planting trees, saving water, and protecting the environment for future generations.
Savjibhai's story teaches us that true success is not about how much you take, but about how much you give. It proves that starting with almost nothing is no barrier to achieving everything. All it requires is hard work, unwavering faith in your people, and a heart that remembers to share its blessings.
He started with 12 rupees and a bus ticket. He built an empire not just on diamonds, but on the unshakable foundation of human kindness. And that is the most inspiring fact of all.
