Vasant Gajera
Born (1954-05-25) 25 May 1954
Amreli, Gujarat
NationalityIndian
Occupations
  • Entrepreneur
  • Investor
  • Philanthropist
Known forFounder of Laxmi Diamond and Gajera Trust
Parents
  • Haribhai Gajera
  • Shantaben Gajera
Websitevasantgajera.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.[4]

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.[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

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

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

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, with a vision to achieve excellence in the field of Medical Education, Health Care and Research 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

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]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Vasantbhai Gajera's contribution to Indian Education". Chicago tribune. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd". Dee Beers Group.
  3. 1 2 "After years, Kathiawaris outshine Palanpuris in India diamond biz". DNA India. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Issuewire: Laxmi Diamond's CSR is an ambitious step to educate community", Issuewire, Gajera Foundation, 31 May 2018
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. 1 2 3 GJEPC (7 July 2021). "Laxmi Diamond Group : PRIORITIZING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS". India’s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "Diamonds.net - Kiran, Laxmi Dominate GJEPC Awards". www.diamonds.net. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "AboutUs | Laxmi Diamond, Buy Diamonds Online, Buy GIA Certified Diamonds". laxmidiamond.com. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "Laxmi Diamond Pvt Ltd". gss.debeersgroup.com. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "Innovative step taken by Surat's Gajera Trust for conducting classes amid Covid-19 lockdown". ANI News. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "Modi visits Amreli,Leuva Patel strongmen in tow". The Indian Express. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "Asia's Premier News Agency - India News, Business & Political, National & International, Bollywood, Sports | ANI News". www.aninews.in. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
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