Who Is Govind Dholakia? Wiki, Biography, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Family, House, Career
Govind Dholakia is a name that shines bright in the world of diamonds. He is the founder and chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Private Limited (SRK), one of the largest and most reputed diamond manufacturing and exporting companies in the world. He is also a first-generation entrepreneur, a self-made billionaire, a public speaker, and a philanthropist. His journey from a humble background to a global leader is truly inspiring and remarkable.
Govind Dholakia Wiki/Bio
| Name | Govind Dholakia |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 1947 |
| Birth place | Dudhala, Gujarat, India |
| Occupation | Businessman and philanthropist |
| Children | Shreyans Dholakia |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Patidar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | 4th grade |
| Known for | Founder and chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK) |
| Links | Personal Website- https://govinddholakia.com/ Instagram- @govinddholakia_official Youtube- @PureTalksbyGovindDholakia Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Govind Dholakia was born in 1947 (age: 76 years, as of 2023) in the remote village of Dudhala, in the Amreli district of Gujarat, India. He was the fifth child among seven siblings in a poor agricultural family. His father, Mr Dholakia, was a farmer who struggled to make ends meet. Govind had to drop out of school after the fourth grade to help his father in the fields.
At the age of 13, he left his village for Surat, the diamond hub of India, in search of better opportunities. He started his career as a diamond cutter and polisher, working as a labourer in a small factory. He learned the skills of the trade from his mentor, Vallabhbhai Patel, who was also his maternal uncle. He worked hard and diligently, saving every penny he could.
In 1964, he decided to start his own business with a meagre capital of Rs. 7,500, which he borrowed from his uncle. He rented a small room and hired two workers to cut and polish diamonds. He named his company Shree Ramkrishna Exports, after his father and his spiritual guru, Ramkrishna Paramhansa.
Net Worth, House, Assets
| Year | Estiamted Net Worth (INR) | House (INR) | Property (INR) | Assets (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12000 Crore | 50 crore | 200 crore | 741 crore |
| 2023 | 9000 Crore | 45 crore | 180 crore | 675 crore |
| 2022 | 5000 Crore | 40 crore | 160 crore | 600 crore |
Growth and Success
Govind Dholakia had a vision to create a world-class diamond company that would cater to the global market. He focused on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. He also invested in technology, research, and development to enhance his production and efficiency. He gradually expanded his business, hiring more workers, acquiring more machines, and establishing more offices.
Today, SRK is one of the leading diamond companies in the world, with a turnover of over $1.8 billion and a workforce of over 5,000 employees. The company has its headquarters in Surat, and offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Antwerp, and New York.
It also has a state-of-the-art diamond crafting facility, SRK Empire, which is spread over 2.5 lakh square feet and is equipped with the most advanced technologies and systems. The company produces over 5 million carats of diamonds annually, ranging from 0.01 carats to 10 carats, in various shapes, sizes, and qualities. The company exports its diamonds to over 50 countries, including the USA, China, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East.
Dholakia is also a pioneer in the field of diamond grading and certification. He developed the SRK Grading System (SGS), a metric that evaluates the true value of a diamond based on a transparent and stringent 20-step process. The system goes beyond the conventional 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat) and considers other factors such as light performance, symmetry, polish, fluorescence, and hearts and arrows. The system is so refined that it eliminates subjectivity and ensures objectivity in diamond valuation.
Govind is also a visionary leader who has transformed the diamond industry with his innovative ideas and initiatives. He is the only Indian to be recognised with the Leadership Award by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for his commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. He has also received hundreds of other awards and accolades for his excellence and contribution to the industry and society.
Body measurements
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (approx)
- Weight: 80 kg (approx)
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Brown
- Hair color: Grey
BJP Nominates Diamond Baron and Ram Temple Donor Govind Dholakia for Rajya Sabha
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Gujarat. Among them is Govind Dholakia, a diamond baron and a generous donor for the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya. Dholakia, who is the founder and chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Private Limited (SRK), a leading diamond manufacturing and exporting company, said he was surprised and honoured by the nomination.
“I am grateful to God, my guru Ramkrishna Paramhansa, and the BJP leadership for this opportunity. I never dreamt of it and had no idea at all. I am surprised about why I have been chosen. I am not into politics, but I will do my best to work for the betterment of the nation, Gujarat, Surat, and the diamond industry,” Dholakia told reporters after filing his nomination papers on Thursday.
Dholakia is a self-made billionaire, who started his career as a diamond cutter and polisher at the age of 13. He founded SRK in 1970 with a borrowed capital of Rs. 7,500 and grew it into a global giant with a turnover of over $1.8 billion and a workforce of over 5,000 employees. He is also a pioneer in the field of diamond grading and certification, and has developed the SRK Grading System (SGS), a metric that evaluates the true value of a diamond based on a transparent and stringent 20-step process.
He is also a noted philanthropist, who has donated over Rs. 100 crore to various causes, such as education, healthcare, community welfare, environment restoration, disaster relief, and rural development. He founded the SRK Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF) in 2014, as the philanthropic arm of his company. The foundation works on five pillars of social advancement: education, healthcare and hygiene, skill development, community development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Dholakia is also a devout Hindu, who follows the principles of his spiritual guru, Ramkrishna Paramhansa. He is a vegetarian, a teetotaller, and a yoga enthusiast. He wakes up at 4 am every day and meditates for an hour. He also reads religious scriptures and listens to devotional music. He is a supporter of the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, and has donated Rs. 11 crore for the cause. He recently visited Ayodhya and got the blessings of Ram Lalla.
The other two candidates nominated by the BJP from Gujarat are Jashvantsinh Parmar, a former MLA and a close aide of Shah, and Mayank Nayak, a former president of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to be held on February 27. The BJP is expected to win all three seats from Gujarat, as it has a majority in the state assembly.
Wife, Son, Grandkids
Govind Dholakia is married to an understanding lady, who is his pillar of strength and support. They have a son, Shreyans Dholakia, who is the vice-chairman and managing director of SRK. Shreyans is also a qualified gemologist and a dynamic entrepreneur, who has taken the company to new heights of success. Govind and his wife also have three grandchildren, who are their pride and joy.
Govind is a man of simple living and high thinking. He follows the principles of his spiritual guru, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, and believes in serving humanity with love and compassion. He is a vegetarian, a teetotaller, and a yoga enthusiast. He wakes up at 4 am every day and meditates for an hour. He also reads religious scriptures and listens to devotional music. He spends his leisure time with his family and friends, and enjoys playing chess and watching cricket.
Philanthropy and Social Work
Govind Dholakia is not only a successful businessman, but also a generous donor and a social worker. He believes that wealth is a means to serve society and not an end in itself. He has donated over Rs. 100 crore to various causes, such as education, healthcare, community welfare, environment restoration, disaster relief, and rural development.
He founded the SRK Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF) in 2014, as the philanthropic arm of his company. The foundation aims to create a better future for humankind by developing effective and socially responsible individuals and organisations. The foundation works on five pillars of social advancement: education, healthcare and hygiene, skill development, community development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The foundation also supports projects for conservation of natural resources and disaster relief and rehabilitation, among others.
Some of the notable initiatives of the foundation are:
- SRK Vidya Mandir, a school that provides free quality education to over 1,000 underprivileged children from the slums of Surat.
- SRK Institute of Design (SRKID) and SRK Institute of Skill (SRKIS), authorised training centres that offer free courses in diamond cutting and polishing, jewellery designing, computer skills, and soft skills to over 2,500 youths from rural and urban areas.
- SRK Hospital, a multi-speciality hospital that offers free or subsidised medical services to over 3 lakh people every year.
- SRK Relief Centre, a facility that provides free food, shelter, clothing, and counselling to over 40,000 people affected by natural calamities, such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones.
- SRK Green Initiative, a project that aims to plant over 1 lakh trees in Surat and surrounding areas, to improve the air quality and combat climate change.
Govind Dholakia is also a patron of various religious and cultural organisations, such as Ramkrishna Mission, Swaminarayan Temple, Jain Temple, and Morari Bapu Ashram. He is also a supporter of the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, and has donated Rs. 11 crore for the cause.
Govind Dholakia is a living legend who has risen from rags to riches with his hard work, dedication, and vision. He is a role model for millions of aspiring entrepreneurs, who dream of making a mark in the world. He is also a benevolent soul, who has touched the lives of countless people with his generosity and kindness. He is a true gem of India, who has made the country proud with his achievements and contributions.
