Month: July 2024

Today, I had the opportunity to truly immerse myself in a profound “Life Class” experience titled “Unveiling Unseen Places.” Our visit took us to the heart of Surat city, to the Dholakia family farm home in Katargam. Their legacy and values deeply touched me, and each moment spent there was filled with positivity and invaluable lessons. While I have always looked up to role models whose stories inspire me to keep pace with the modern era, today I encountered a real-life role model who showed me the importance of slowing down and cherishing life’s true treasures: family, health, and values.

जीनेका अंदाज़ निराला।
हे ये सबक़ा तारानहारा।
सेवाभाव से काम करे वो।
परिवार साथ लेकर चले वो।

It was a wonderful experience to meet such family. A lot to learn and so much to serve back to the society.

સંપ ત્યાં જંપ❤️
પરિવાર શું છે!
ધરોહર પકડી ને નવકા વહાણ કરે જેની!
મસ્તમગન થઇનેં સેવા કરે સમાજ ની!
જેટલું આપે એટલું જ મેળવે!
છતાય જમીનથી જોડાયેલ રહે.

Vaidehi Shethji Gujarati

When we think of diamond merchants, we often imagine opulence, glittering gems, and high-stakes transactions. However, visiting the home of a diamond merchant who embodies strong life values can reveal a much richer, more nuanced story. Recently, we had the unique opportunity to visit such a household, and it was an experience that left a lasting impression. A Warm Welcome

As we arrived at the elegant yet modest home, We was greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. Their family welcomed us as if we were like a family member. It was clear from the outset that their success hadn’t distanced them from their roots or their values.

A Legacy of Hard Work and Integrity: Our host shared stories of their early days in the diamond trade. Starting with nothing but determination and a willingness to learn, he worked tirelessly, always adhering to principles of honesty and fairness. These values, he explained, were the foundation of his success.  Dholakia family pointed out family photographs and awards, each with a story that emphasized the importance of hard work and integrity. His pride wasn’t in the wealth they had amassed, but in the respect and trust they had earned over the years.

Commitment to Community

The Dholakias are not just successful in business, they are also deeply committed to their community. Mrs. Dholakia, a gracious and articulate woman, spoke passionately about the various community projects they support. From funding local schools to sponsoring healthcare initiatives, the family believes in using their resources to uplift those around them. 

Teaching the Next Generation

One of the most inspiring aspects of my visit was seeing how the Dholakias are instilling their values in their children.

The family holds regular meetings where they discuss and solve the problems/ misunderstandings. 

 The children are encouraged to participate in community service and are taught the value of giving back from a young age.

A Meal to Remember

My visit concluded with a meal that was as nourishing for the soul as it was for the body. Over delicious home-cooked dishes, we shared stories, laughed, and discussed everything from business ethics to the importance of family. It was clear that the Dholakias’ values were not just preached but practiced in every aspect of their lives.

Reflections

Visiting the home of a diamond merchant with strong life values was a profoundly enlightening experience. It challenged my preconceptions and highlighted how success, when built on a foundation of integrity, community, and sustainability, is not just about wealth but about creating a positive impact. The Dholakias’ story is a testament to the fact that true wealth lies in the values we hold and the difference we make in the lives of others.

આ અનુભવની યાત્રા છે અનોખી,

જેમા થશે સંસ્કૃતિ, ઈતિહાસ, પરંપરા અને કુદરતના દર્શન.

આ યાત્રાનો ખલાસી બની દરિયા સમાન અનુભવને પોતાના સમાવી લઉ,

ક્યારેક લાગણીના મોજામાં, તો ક્યારેક શાંત બની તેની ગહેરાઈમાં ખોવાઇ જાઉ.

પ્રકૃતિ છે તો પ્રગતિ છે,

દુનિયાની અનમોલ સંપત્તિ છે.

જન જીવોના  માતૃત્વનું દાઈત્વ તું છે,

તારા વિના અમારુ અસ્તિત્વ શું છે.

અનવિલીંગ અનસીન પ્લેસિસનું પ્રથમ ચરણ છે તું,

તારા આશિર્વાદ લઈ સફરની શરુઆત કરુ હું.

ગોવિંદકાકા ધરની સફર, મારા માટે સંસ્કારની નગરી સમાન થઈ ગઈ.

તેમના વિચારો અને વર્તનમાથી સૃહદભાવની અનમોલ ભેટ મળી ગઈ.

શાલિની મેમ, પ્રિતી મેમ આના નમિત્ત  બન્યા,

તે બદલ આમારો આભાર અને પૈસાનું મૂલ્ય પણ ઓછુ છે.

From the moment we stepped off the bus, the positivity was palpable. Not only did the ladies of the house warmly welcome us, but the children also showed genuine hospitality. Despite their considerable wealth, the Dholakia family chose to engage with us openly and share their rich family history, embodying the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (the guest is God). In a world where even siblings sometimes drift apart, their close-knit relationships with cousins and extended family were refreshing. They extend this same warmth and kindness to their employees, treating them like family and supporting them in various ways—such as organizing collective weddings, aiding during the 2008 diamond mandi crisis, and giving solar panels as Diwali bonuses. My key takeaway is the importance of giving back to society, just as we have been given so much.