Panna mine labourer strikes it rich, finds 11.19-carat diamond

Bhopal/Panna, June 29 (IANS) In a remarkable tale of perseverance and fortune, Rakesh Gond from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh, has discovered a high-quality 11.19 carat white diamond that could transform his family’s life.

The find is in addition to an earlier similar discovery of a 19.22-carat diamond in the Krishna Kalyanpur area.

This year, Rakesh discovered the precious gem, which can fetch him a maximum of Rs 40 lakh. “He discovered the gem on Sunday while mining in his shallow mines of Ahirguwa mines of Panna,” a Panna diamond mining official told IANS, adding, “earlier his brother and father had discovered a diamond of 19.22 carats.”

Rakesh makes a living as a labourer and made the discovery in the leased mines of 8 by 8 meters in size. In April this year, he took on the lease for the pit where the gem was found.

While sifting through mud with basic tools, he unearthed the stone.

Recognising its potential, he rushed home to share the news with their family before depositing it at the Government Diamond Office in Panna.

Diamond experts and officials have praised the gem’s excellent shape and quality. District officials estimate it could fetch Rs 40 lakh or more at an upcoming open auction.

After deducting government royalty and taxes, the proceeds will go to Rakesh and his family.

The Gonds come from a modest tribal background. Rakesh said he knew it was a diamond right there.

The family plans to use the windfall wisely, clearing loans, investing in farmland, building a better house, and most importantly, ensuring quality education for the children.

Panna, known for its rich diamond deposits since ancient times, continues to offer such life-changing opportunities to local miners.

The 19.22-carat stone adds to the region’s legacy of producing fine gems, many of which have fetched high prices at government auctions.

Recently, on June 18, a woman, Mira Singh, discovered a 6.45-carat diamond. She discovered it at a quarry in Jaruapur village.

It is said that the estimated price of this diamond is going to be more than Rs 12 lakh. Singh had taken over the lease of the diamond mine in March and had been mining continuously. Hard mining, she finally got this precious diamond.

–IANS

sktr/dpb