Ukraine war robs India’s ‘Diamond City’ of its shineAFP, SURAT, IndiaYogesh Zanzamera lays out his bed on the floor of the factory where he works and lives, one of about 2 million Indians polishing diamonds in an industry being hit hard by the war in Ukraine. Yet he is one of the lucky ones — the local trade union estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 diamond workers in Surat have lost their jobs. Originally founded as a port city at the mouth of the Tapi River, Surat earned a reputation as the “Diamond City of India” in the 1960s and 1970s. “If it doesn’t go through Surat, a diamond is not a diamond,” Chirag Gems chief executive officer Chirag Patel said. The Gujarat Diamond Workers’ Union has asked Gujarat’s chief minister for a 10 billion rupee relief package for workers who have lost their jobs.

Source: Taipei Times June 26, 2022 16:29 UTC