Diamond artisans’ leader in Surat ends life

Surat: Body of president of Surat Ratnakalakar Vikas Sangh (SRVS), Jaysukh Gajera, 53, was found on the banks of river Tapi near Kathore village on Thursday morning. Gajera had gone missing since Wednesday evening and his family members, who were searching for him could trace his motorcycle to the bridge over Tapi and alerted the police. They said that extreme financial crisis pushed Gajera to take the drastic step.
The body was found from behind Lokhat Hospital at around 10 am after cops started searching for him at around 11.30 pm on Wednesday following the recovery of his motorcycle and sandals on Amboli Bridge, over Tapi on National Highway 48.
Ironically, Gajera’s suicide coincides the World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday. About 13 jobless diamond workers have committed suicide since the start of the lockdown in March.
Meanwhile, police registered a case of accidental death and have started an investigation. “There is no allegation against anyone by the family members,” said a police officer at Kamrej police station.
Manubhai, 60, elder brother of Gajera, told the police that his brother was upset due to the financial crisis as was informed to him by Rakesh Bhadyadra, a friend of the deceased in Nadiad. However, people in the know claim that the financial crisis cannot be the reason behind Gajera’s suicide.
Gajera is survived by his wife, a son studying in Class XII, and a daughter in Class V who live at a rented flat in Shravan Apartment in Varachha’s Yogi Chowk.
President of Shravan Apartment, Ramesh Patel, however, said, “I don’t believe Gajera was facing financial problems. Our building is constructed by his close friend and he was not required to pay any rent for his flat.”
“I talked with Gajera and Babu Vekariya in a conference call at around 8.17 pm on Wednesday. Gajera was upset and offered to step down from the post. Since I was out of the station I told him that we will discuss it once I return to the city,” said Dinesh Navadiya, regional chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
Founded by Gajera around 10 years ago, SRVS lends its voice to the issues of diamond artisans. So far, he helped about 30,000 jobless diamond workers get jobs and compensation in the industry. Even during the lockdown, Gajera distributed ration kits, helped workers reach natives in private vehicles.