Billionaire pushes son out into the street to make money like the poor

Savji Dholakia, 57, is one of the richest diamond billionaires in India. Not only famous for his huge fortune, Mr. Dholakia and his family (specializing in diamond production and export) also make many people admire him for his unique way of educating his children.

In 2016, his only son, Dravya Dholakia, then 21 years old, studying MBA in the US, returned home for a holiday. Not giving his son a long rest, he asked Dravya to go to a strange city where no one knew who he was, to find a job and earn money to survive for a month.

"I gave my child three conditions: First, he must work to earn money and change jobs every week. Second, he must not say he is a billionaire, and finally, he must not use a mobile phone. I want my child to understand the meaning of life, to understand how poor people have to struggle to get a job and have money to survive. No university can teach children these life skills, except through practical experience," the billionaire shared in the newspaper.Timesofindia.

Dravya accepted the challenge and decided to travel to Kochi, a city he had never been to before and did not speak the language. He was allowed to bring only three sets of clothes and 7,000 rupees (about $100), which he was told to spend only in case of emergency. The young man was prepared for hardship, but what happened was far more terrible than he had imagined.

"The first five days I couldn't find a job or a suitable place to stay. I was disappointed because I was rejected by 60 places. No one knew who I was. That was the time I understood what failure was, and the value of having a job," Dravya shared.

Dravya finally got a job in a bakery. He lied to the boss that he was a 12th grader and that he came from a poor farming family. Next, Dravya worked at a call center, then at a shoe store, and even as a waiter at McDonalds. He earned only $60 a month.

"I never worried about money before, but here I have to manage to get food, which costs only $0.60 per meal. I need to earn an extra $4 a day to pay for my accommodation," Dravya Dholakia said.

Billionaire Savji Dholakia once shared that the Dholakia family has maintained the tradition of "pushing their children out on the streets to experience" for the past 17 years. Many of the boys in the family have had to leave their luxurious lives to try to face difficulties, find jobs and earn money for a period of time.

In 2017, Hitarth Dholakia, now 25, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in the US, returned home and was also asked by his parents to go to Hyderabad to experience the same as his cousin. Hitarth received this request right at the airport.

With only 500 Rupees (about $7), Hitarth struggled to earn money for two meals a day. He even had to live in a rented house with 17 other people for 100 Rupees (nearly $1.5). Later, Hitarth found a job at a joint venture company with a salary of 4,000 Rupees/month (about $57). However, he only worked there for 5 days and then quit as required, having to change jobs once a week.

He then applied for a marketing job at a manufacturing facility, but only worked for five days and earned 1,500 Rupees (about $21). In four weeks, Hitarth changed jobs four times and earned 5,000 Rupees (about $71).

Sharing with the press, Hitarth's younger sister said: "I was shocked when I went to the places where my brother lived and worked. It was hard work and unbelievable circumstances for us. I am proud of my brother and the family to continue this tradition to help the children have a foundation, respect people and understand the importance of money."

That same year, another brother, Dhruv Dholakia, then 18, also went to South India for a week to experience what it was like to live like a normal person.

Dhruv went to a coffee shop to apply for a job but was rejected because it was full. He tried again and finally got a job as a waiter there for a week. Dhruv took a leave of absence citing family reasons and returned to the shop 5 days later. Only then did he reveal his true background as the youngest member of the world's leading diamond manufacturing group, SRK.

As a gesture to thank the management and employees of the company, Dhruv also gifted them with precious gifts including precious diamonds, watches, cash gifts and expensive pens...

"To get life lessons, experience it yourself. It will bring you practical experiences that no one else can teach you," billionaire Savji Dholakia shared on his personal page.