Madhya Pradesh laborer strikes diamond ― chances upon 19-carat gemstone while sifting mud

A laborer found a 19.22-carat diamond in a mine in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district on July 24. And it could fetch about ₹80 lakh or more at the government auction, officials said.

Raju Gaud said when he set out in the morning to dig mud and sift through it, a daily routine in monsoon months for the past 10 years, he hadn’t imagined he would strike a fortune.

“I hope the amount earned (after the auction) will reduce my financial hardships and take care of my children’s education,” Gaud said.

The laborer said he exulted after finding the precious stone in the leased mine at Krishna Kalyanpur and promptly deposited it with the government authorities.

The gem-quality diamond will be put for sale in the next auction, said Anupam Singh, an official from the Panna diamond office.

District Collector Suresh Kumar said the 19.22-carat diamond Gaud uncovered in a shallow mine could fetch Rs 80 lakh or more in the auction.

The gemstone would be put up for open bidding at the next diamond auction, the collector said.

Gaud said he drove a tractor earlier and her family earned a livelihood from labor work.

He has been taking small mines on lease during the rains for the past ten years in the hope of getting lucky someday.

Gaud said he took the mine, where he found the diamond, on lease about two months ago. “I have deposited it at the Government Diamond Office. I’ll spend the money on my children’s education and buy farmland,” he said.

Officials said the raw diamond would be auctioned and the proceeds would be given to the laborer after deducting government royalty and taxes.

The Panna district, located in MP’s Bundelkhand region, is estimated to have diamond reserves of 12 lakh carats.

(PTI)