Story perspectives

Surat's Diamond Crisis: Layoffs Spark School Dropouts

12/9/2025

Summary

Story summary

The diamond industry in Surat has faced large layoffs and lower earnings amid economic disruptions.
Alpesh Bhai, a former diamond polisher, saw income fall from 35,000 to 12,000 rupees, forcing his children to withdraw from private school.
The Gujarat government launched a school-fee support scheme for unemployed diamond workers, but many applications were rejected.
The crisis has caused over 600 school dropouts and about 50,000 workers to leave Surat.

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Story summary

The diamond industry in Surat has faced large layoffs and lower earnings amid economic disruptions.
Alpesh Bhai, a former diamond polisher, saw income fall from 35,000 to 12,000 rupees, forcing his children to withdraw from private school.
The Gujarat government launched a school-fee support scheme for unemployed diamond workers, but many applications were rejected.
The crisis has caused over 600 school dropouts and about 50,000 workers to leave Surat.