TechHR India 25: How Govind Dholakia built a legacy on trust and compassion

The story of Govind Dholakia, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and the founder-chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), a leading natural diamond production and export company, is a powerful reminder that true leadership isn't measured in revenue or market share, but in the unwavering trust and happiness of people. 

Born into a humble family in Gujarat, Dholakia's journey started as a diamond polisher in Surat in 1964. From modest beginnings to founding what would become Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), a global diamond company that now employs over 7,000 people and exports to more than 100 countries. But to Dholakia, affectionately known as 'Kaka' to his extended family of employees, this sprawling success is merely a byproduct of his core philosophy: "Don’t make family your company, make company your family.”

This profound belief, shared during a recent keynote at People Matters TechHR India 2025, is the guiding principle behind a business model that defies conventional wisdom. “Trust is the only key to success, a concept I learned not in a boardroom but through his experience,” said Dholakia. 

Growing up, he witnessed the power of mutual respect and reliance firsthand, lessons that stayed with him as he embarked on his entrepreneurial path. He understood that a business could only flourish if its foundation was solid, and to him, that foundation was the unconditional faith between a leader and their team. He doesn’t see his staff as workers, but as invaluable family members, a sentiment that has fostered a culture of deep loyalty and shared purpose.

He believes that every individual, regardless of their position, deserves respect and care. This philosophy is codified in his H.I.T. formula: Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency. These are not just buzzwords; they are the non-negotiable standards that anchor every decision, from the smallest internal operation to the largest international deal. By operating with complete transparency, he built a culture where people feel secure, valued, and empowered to contribute their best work.

This approach has created an extraordinary legacy, one where profit is not the ultimate goal but a natural consequence of a healthy and happy workforce. Dholakia consistently measures success not by financial milestones, but by the joy and fulfillment of his employees. His firm belief is that if his people are happy, the company will thrive. This human-centric model has proven to be an incredibly effective business strategy, showing that compassion and commercial success are not mutually exclusive—in fact, they are inextricably linked.

A legacy of compassion and continuous learning Inspired by the timeless wisdom of the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, Dholakia champions the idea that humanity is the only religion. This spiritual foundation fuels his dedication to continuous learning and innovation while never losing sight of the irreplaceable value of human skills. He recognises that in today’s fast-paced world, technology is an essential tool for growth. However, he cautions that technology must always be balanced with empathy, ethics, and a profound commitment to people.