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Govind Dholakia | |
|---|---|
 Dholakia in 2011 | |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Gujarat | |
| Assumed office 3 April 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Mansukh Mandaviya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 November 1949 Dudhala, Gujarat, India |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse | Champaben Dholakia |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Laljibhai Dholakia, Santokbaa Dholakia |
| Residence | Surat |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
| Known for | Diamonds Are Forever, So Are Morals by Penguin Random House |
| Nickname | "Kaka" |
Govindbhai Laljibhai Dholakia is an Indian businessman and politician who is currently serving as a Member of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat since April 2024, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Govind Dholakia was born into a Leuva Patidar Family in Dudhala, Lathi taluka, Amreli district, Gujarat, to a farming family. He was locally known as “Kaka” (meaning "Uncle").[3] Dholakia moved to Surat in 1964 to support his family.[4]
Career
[edit]Dholakia founded Shree Ramkrishna Exports Private Limited, a diamond export enterprise based in Surat.[5][6] In 2024, he was elected as the Rajya Sabha member representing Gujarat.[7]
Philanthropy
[edit]In 2021, he donated ₹11 crore (equivalent to ₹12 crore or US$1.4 million in 2023) to the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.[8]
In 2022, Dholakia oversaw the transition of his hometown, Dudhala, to solar energy through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of his company.[9][10]
Awards
[edit]In 2017, Govind received the Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). [11]
In media
[edit]Books
[edit]- Tiwari, Arun; Yagnik, Kamlesh (2022). Diamonds Are Forever, So Are Morals. Penguin Random House. ISBN 9789391149895.
References
[edit]- ^ Jaiswal, Arushi (15 February 2024). "Rajya Sabha elections: Surat diamond merchant Govind Dholakia richest among four BJP candidates". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Rajya Sabha Elections 2024: Full list of winners in polls to 56 Upper House seats". Financialexpress. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Chitnis, Purva (15 February 2024). "Diamond merchant who donated 'generously' to Ram temple — who is BJP's RS nominee Govindbhai Dholakia". ThePrint. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Who Is Govindbhai Dholakia? Know All About Surat-Based Diamond Merchant Nominated by BJP As Rajya Sabha Member - www.lokmattimes.com". Lokmat Times. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Shree Ramkrishna Exports Emerges As 2022 Hurun Most Respected Family Business Of The Year". Times of India. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ Dholakia, Govind (6 May 2022). "How diamond tycoon Govind Dholakia made his first ever trade at the age of twenty-two". Scroll.in. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ PTI (20 February 2024). "J.P. Nadda, three other BJP candidates elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed from Gujarat". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Diamond trader from Surat donates Rs 11 crore for Ram temple construction in Ayodhya". India Today. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Dudhala in Gujarat to become first village to be completely solarised by a foundation". Energy Economic Times. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Amreli's Dudhala to be India's first solar-powered village, a gift from businessman Govind Dholakia to his hometown". Divya Bhaskar. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "USGBC announces 2017 Leadership Awards". usgbc.org. Retrieved 26 October 2017.