Vasant Gajera Explained

Vasant Gajera
Birth Date:1954 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Amreli, Gujarat
Nationality:Indian
Known For:Founder of Laxmi Diamond and Gajera Trust
Website:vasantgajera.com

Vasant Gajera, born on 25 May 1954, is an Indian businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Laxmi Diamond Group, a diamond manufacturing and exporting company.[1] [2]

Early life

Gajera was born on 25 May 1954 to a farmer family in Amreli, Gujarat, India to the late Shri Haribhai Gajera and Shantaben Gajera. He left his home town and moved to Surat in 1968 at the age of 14.[3] After studying diamond cutting and polishing for a few years in Surat, he started his business under the name of Laxmi Diamond in 1972.

Early career

Gajera, born in Amreli and originally from Kathiawad, realized at a very young age that to earn out a living from the parched land for a farming community, especially in the absence of rainfall, is indeed an impossible and tall task. He left his home town and arrived in Surat where he worked in jewellery factory for two years. He left that job to try his hand at his own business in the diamond market.[3]

Founding of Laxmi Diamond

He started a small manufacturing unit in Surat, in 1972, doing job work, thus laying the foundation of the Laxmi Diamond Group. Shortly his younger brothers joined him and they expanded their operations, creating employment for more than 4000 people. Sir Gabi Tolkowsky was appointed as a training consultant to Laxmi Diamond manufacturing operations and worldwide spokesman for Gabrielle in the year 2005. The company imports rough diamonds, processes and exports polished diamonds to the US, Far East, Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia.[4] Since 1995, Laxmi Diamond has been a sightholder of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC).[5] Laxmi Diamond has also been honored with “Most Socially Responsible Company” by GJEPC-India.[6]

Philanthropy and Gajera Trust

Smt. Shantaben Haribhai Gajera Charitable Trust popularly known as Gajera Trust was established on 15 January 1993. It is the fully funded sustainable initiatives that do not accept donations and provide education for over 40000 children. The key moment of the Trust is to serve the nation and its people in general. The Trust mainly works in education, healthcare and community services.[7] [8] Gajera has a deep commitment towards a social cause, and spends a lot of his time and resources for various welfare and charitable activities which have blossomed into several charitable Institutions in the field of education, health, social welfare, etc.[9] [10]

Education

Education is a basic necessity for the overall development of society. Upliftment of the poor and needy, education for women and medical facilities are subjects very close to his heart. So various institutes are established. Gajera Vidyabhavan, Gajera Shaikshanik Sankul, Laxmi Vidyapeeth, Shantabaa Medical College etc. Trust has taken innovative steps for conducting classes amid COVID-19 lockdown.[11] [12] [13]

Healthcare

Gajera initiated various health initiatives such as blood donation camps, mobile diagnostic vans, eye check-up camps etc. He supports the healthcare sector within rural regions toward upliftment, empowerment and timely intervention. Vasant Gajera established Shantabaa Medical College and General Hospital, Amreli under Gajera Trust in the year 2017. It is under the Public-Private Partnership with the Government of Gujarat since June 2018. It is affiliated with Saurashtra University and is recognised by the Medical Council of India.

Vatsalyadham

On his birthday he established Vatsalyadham - a home for the underprivileged children in Surat Gujarat, which was started with 56 children, today houses around 850 inmates, who live a comfortable and respectful life together. Apart from primary needs like Food, Clothing and Shelter, these children also get the best education.[14] [15] [16]

Controversies

Gajera, along with his brother, Chuni, was arrested on 22 March 2018[17] under allegations that he used forged documents to unlawfully usurp land. He was charged on 5 April 2018.[18] The complaint dates back to 2003, with Gajera allegedly building a wall around the illegally acquired land. Initially, police failed to act upon the complaint, but after the complainant, Vajubhai Malani, contested the decision in the high court, the court ordered the police to charge Gajera.The charges under the Indian penal code were the following counts:[19] [20] [21]

On 27 June 2018 Umra police successfully requested the cancellation of his bail, citing that Gajera was non-cooperative and is the prime suspect.[22] A warrant for his arrest was issued the following day.[23]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vasantbhai Gajera's contribution to Indian Education . Chicago tribune. 8 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd . Dee Beers Group.
  3. Web site: After years, Kathiawaris outshine Palanpuris in India diamond biz. 2022-01-11. DNA India. en.
  4. Web site: India's six diamond kings: Six entrepreneurs minting money in Rs 70,000 crore industry - India's diamond kings: Six entrepreneurs minting money in Rs 70,000 crore industry. 2022-01-11. The Economic Times.
  5. Web site: GJEPC. 2021-07-07. Laxmi Diamond Group : PRIORITIZING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS. 2022-01-11. India’s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine. en-US.
  6. Web site: 2017-03-26. Diamonds.net - Kiran, Laxmi Dominate GJEPC Awards. 2022-01-11. www.diamonds.net.
  7. Web site: Mediawire. Aug 26, 2021. Gajera Trust's Shantabaa Medical College & Civil Hospital felicitates Union Minister Parshottam Rupala in presence of State BJP Chief CR Patil Surat News - Times of India. 2022-01-11. The Times of India. en.
  8. Web site: AboutUs Laxmi Diamond, Buy Diamonds Online, Buy GIA Certified Diamonds. 2022-01-11. laxmidiamond.com.
  9. Web site: Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd. 2022-01-11. gss.debeersgroup.com. en.
  10. Web site: Melvyn Reggie Thomas. Jun 28, 2015. Surat bracing for arrival of migrants from flood-hit Amreli Surat News - Times of India. 2022-01-12. The Times of India. en.
  11. News: ANI. 2020-04-01. Innovative step taken by Surat's Gajera Trust for conducting classes amid Covid-19 lockdown. Business Standard India. 2022-01-11.
  12. Web site: Innovative step taken by Surat's Gajera Trust for conducting classes amid Covid-19 lockdown. 2022-01-11. ANI News. en.
  13. Web site: 2013-04-20. Modi visits Amreli,Leuva Patel strongmen in tow. 2022-01-12. The Indian Express. en.
  14. Web site: Asia's Premier News Agency - India News, Business & Political, National & International, Bollywood, Sports ANI News. 2022-01-11. www.aninews.in. en.
  15. Web site: May 13, 2015. NGO to adopt street kids to mould their future Surat News - Times of India. 2022-01-11. The Times of India. en.
  16. Web site: 26-11-2021 : Surat ePaper Today:Online Surat ePaper Gujarati,Aaj Ka Surat Gujarati Newspaper - Divya Bhaskar,Page -2. 2022-01-12. divyabhaskar epaper. gu.
  17. News: Diamond Baron Vasant Gajera Held For Allegedly Usurping Surat Land. NDTV.com. 2018-10-23.
  18. News: Diamond baron Vasant Gajera, his brother booked for forgery to grab land. The Times of India. 2018-10-23.
  19. Web site: Diamond Baron Vasant Gajera Held For Allegedly Usurping Surat Land.
  20. News: Vasant Gajera remanded in police custody till March 27 - Times of India. The Times of India . 23 March 2018 .
  21. News: Diamond baron Vasant Gajera, his brother booked for forgery to grab land - Times of India. The Times of India . 5 April 2018 .
  22. News: Police seek cancellation of Gajera's bail – Times of India. The Times of India . 28 June 2018 .
  23. News: Arrest warrant issued against diamantaire Vasant Gajera – Times of India. The Times of India . 29 June 2018 .