Diamond artisans in Surat turn to alternate jobs

Rakesh Dabhi, 36, a diamond craftsman from Varachha, had never considered selling manchow soup to support his family of three, which includes his wife and two school-aged children.

- Melvyn Thomas

Rakesh, who previously earned an average monthly income of Rs 40,000 by cutting and polishing small diamonds in a diamond unit in Varachha, now earns less than Rs 12,000 per month. Due to the continuous diamond industry slump, the factory owner significantly cut the supply of raw diamonds for processing.

Rakesh, who was concerned about his school-aged children, decided to create a soup mart to supplement his family's income. Rakesh has spent the last month working at the diamond unit in the mornings and selling soup in the afternoons until late at night in Varachha. He now earns Rs 28,000 a month, which is enough to support his family of four.