Savji Dholakia, who runs a diamond export company in Surat city, gifted 491 cars, 207 two-bedroom flats and 570 diamond necklaces ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights being celebrated on Thursday (Oct 23).
Naresh Mayani, Dholakia's secretary, commented: "These incentives are part of our loyalty programme. Employees who have shown consistent and superior performance over the past five years have been rewarded."
DIWALI BONUS
The incentives totalled the equivalent of R62-million, Mayani said, adding this was an annual Diwali bonus for the company's employees.
Mayani said there was a "wave of happiness" among company employees ever since the Diwali bonanza was announced Sunday.
Mayani said: "No one in my family has a car, so when I came to know that I'm getting a vehicle, my happiness knew no bounds. Everyone is excited and celebrating at home."
Surat is the hub of India's diamond trade, which has suffered from India's economic slowdown in recent years.
In an example of a rags-to-riches story, Dholakia borrowed money to start off his diamond business in the early 1990s.
Today his company reportedly an annual turnover of about R10-billion with a workforce of 8000 and offices in Belgium, Hong Kong and Britain.