Vasant Gajera
Vasant Gajera | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 May 1954 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Founder of Laxmi Diamond and Gajera Trust |
| Parents |
|
| 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[edit]
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.[4]
Early career[edit]
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[edit]
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.[5] Since 1995, Laxmi Diamond has been a sightholder of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC).[6] Laxmi Diamond has also been honored with “Most Socially Responsible Company” by GJEPC-India.[7]
Philanthropy and Gajera Trust[edit]
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.[8][9] 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.[10][11]
Education[edit]
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.[6] Trust has taken innovative steps for conducting classes amid COVID-19 lockdown.[12][13][14]
Healthcare[edit]
Gajera initiated various health initiatives such as blood donation camps, mobile diagnostic vans, eye check-up camps etc.[citation needed] He supports the healthcare sector within rural regions toward upliftment, empowerment and timely intervention.[citation needed] 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.[6]
Vatsalyadham[edit]
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.[15][16][17]
Controversies[edit]
Gajera, along with his brother, Chuni, was arrested on 22 March 2018[18] under allegations that he used forged documents to unlawfully usurp land. He was charged on 5 April 2018.[19] 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:[20][21][22]
- 468 – forgery for the purpose of cheating
- 471 – using as genuine forged documents
- 120 (b) – criminal conspiracy
- 341 – wrongful restraint
- 447 – criminal trespass
- 465 – forgery
- 467 – forgery of valuable security
On 27 June 2018 Umra police successfully requested the cancellation of his bail, citing that Gajera was non-cooperative and is the prime suspect.[23] A warrant for his arrest was issued the following day.[24]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Vasantbhai Gajera's contribution to Indian Education". Chicago tribune. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ "Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd". Dee Beers Group.
- ^ a b "After years, Kathiawaris outshine Palanpuris in India diamond biz". DNA India. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Issuewire: Laxmi Diamond's CSR is an ambitious step to educate community", Issuewire, Gajera Foundation, 31 May 2018
- ^ "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". The Economic Times. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ a b c GJEPC (7 July 2021). "Laxmi Diamond Group : PRIORITIZING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS". India’s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Diamonds.net - Kiran, Laxmi Dominate GJEPC Awards". www.diamonds.net. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "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". The Times of India. Mediawire. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "AboutUs | Laxmi Diamond, Buy Diamonds Online, Buy GIA Certified Diamonds". laxmidiamond.com. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd". gss.debeersgroup.com. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ Melvyn Reggie Thomas (28 June 2015). "Surat bracing for arrival of migrants from flood-hit Amreli | Surat News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ ANI (1 April 2020). "Innovative step taken by Surat's Gajera Trust for conducting classes amid Covid-19 lockdown". Business Standard India. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Innovative step taken by Surat's Gajera Trust for conducting classes amid Covid-19 lockdown". ANI News. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Modi visits Amreli,Leuva Patel strongmen in tow". The Indian Express. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Asia's Premier News Agency - India News, Business & Political, National & International, Bollywood, Sports | ANI News". www.aninews.in. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "NGO to adopt street kids to mould their future | Surat News - Times of India". The Times of India. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "26-11-2021 : Surat ePaper Today:Online Surat ePaper Gujarati,Aaj Ka Surat Gujarati Newspaper - Divya Bhaskar,Page -2". divyabhaskar epaper (in Gujarati). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Diamond Baron Vasant Gajera Held For Allegedly Usurping Surat Land". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Diamond baron Vasant Gajera, his brother booked for forgery to grab land". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Diamond Baron Vasant Gajera Held For Allegedly Usurping Surat Land".
- ^ "Vasant Gajera remanded in police custody till March 27 - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 March 2018.
- ^ "Diamond baron Vasant Gajera, his brother booked for forgery to grab land - Times of India". The Times of India. 5 April 2018.
- ^ "Police seek cancellation of Gajera's bail – Times of India". The Times of India. 28 June 2018.
- ^ "Arrest warrant issued against diamantaire Vasant Gajera – Times of India". The Times of India. 29 June 2018.