Govind Dholakia
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Govind Dholakia | |
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Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Gujarat | |
Assumed office 3 April 2024 | |
Preceded by | Mansukh Mandaviya |
Personal details | |
Born | Dudhala, Gujarat, India |
Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Spouse | Champaben Dholakia |
Children | Minaxi, Shweta, Shreyans |
Residence | Surat |
Occupation | Businessman |
Nickname | Kaka |
Govindbhai Laljibhai Dholakiya is an Indian businessman who will serve as a Member of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat from April 2024 onwards, representing Bharatiya Janata Party.[1][2]
Early life
Dholakia was born at Dudhala, Lathi taluka in Amreli district, Gujarat, to a farmer's family. He was known in local as kaka (lit. uncle).[3] Dholakia moved in 1964 to Surat to support his family.[4]
Career
Dholakia founded Shree Ramkrishna Exports Private Limited, a diamond export enterprise in Surat.[5][6] In 2024, he was elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.[7]
Philanthrophy
In 2021, he donated ₹11 crore (equivalent to ₹12 crore or US$1.5 million in 2023) for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.[8]
In 2022, Dholakia oversaw the conversion of his hometown of Dudhala to solar energy, utilizing his company's CSR arm.[9][10]
Awards & Recognition
- Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2017. [11]
In media
Books
- Tiwari, Arun; Yagnik, Kamlesh (2022). Diamonds Are Forever, So Are Morals. Penguin Random House. ISBN 9789391149895.
References
- ^ Jaiswal, Arushi (2024-02-15). "Rajya Sabha elections: Surat diamond merchant Govind Dholakia richest among four BJP candidates". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Rajya Sabha Elections 2024: Full list of winners in polls to 56 Upper House seats". Financialexpress. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Chitnis, Purva (2024-02-15). "Diamond merchant who donated 'generously' to Ram temple — who is BJP's RS nominee Govindbhai Dholakia". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Who Is Govindbhai Dholakia? Know All About Surat-Based Diamond Merchant Nominated by BJP As Rajya Sabha Member - www.lokmattimes.com". Lokmat Times. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Shree Ramkrishna Exports Emerges As 2022 Hurun Most Respected Family Business Of The Year". Times of India. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ Dholakia, Govind (2022-05-06). "How diamond tycoon Govind Dholakia made his first ever trade at the age of twenty-two". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ PTI (2024-02-20). "J.P. Nadda, three other BJP candidates elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed from Gujarat". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "Diamond trader from Surat donates Rs 11 crore for Ram temple construction in Ayodhya". India Today. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Dudhala in Gujarat to become first village to be completely solarised by a foundation". Energy Economic Times. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "Amreli's Dudhala to be India's first solar-powered village, a gift from businessman Govind Dholakia to his hometown". Divya Bhaskar. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "USGBC announces 2017 Leadership Awards". usgbc.org. Retrieved 26 October 2017.