Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Navsari's Shift from Diamonds to Solar
Navsari, a city in Gujarat, India, was once famous for its diamond industry.
However, over time, it lost its prominence to Surat due to better infrastructure and connectivity.
The global financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the situation, leading to job losses and financial instability for many gem artists.
In 2020, a company called Goldi Solar started a solar panel manufacturing facility in Navsari.
They trained over 1,000 former gem artists for free and gave them stable jobs with good benefits.
This shift has brought hope and financial stability to the workers and their families, transforming Navsari's economy and environment.
Navsari was once a prominent diamond hub but lost its dominance to Surat due to better infrastructure and connectivity.
The global financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the diamond industry in Navsari, leading to job losses and financial instability.
Goldi Solar initiated a solar panel manufacturing facility in Navsari, training over 1,000 former gem artists for free at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Kharel.
Trained workers were absorbed by Goldi Solar, earning a stable monthly income of Rs. 20,000 with benefits such as statutory leaves, compensation, and safe working conditions.
The establishment of the solar plant generated indirect livelihood opportunities, benefiting the broader local economy and bringing environmental responsibility and social upliftment to Navsari.
- Who
- Former gem artists from Navsari, Gujarat
- What
- Transition from diamond industry to solar panel manufacturing
- When
- 2020 onwards
- Where
- Navsari, Gujarat, India
- Why
- Economic downturn and pandemic led to job losses in the diamond industry, prompting a shift to renewable energy sector
- Location
- Navsari, Gujarat, India
- Key Figures
- Capt. Ishver Dholakiya, Founder and Managing Director of Goldi Solar
- Training Institute
- Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Kharel
- Number of Trained Workers
- Over 1,000
- Monthly Income
- Rs. 20,000
- Training Duration
- Not specified
- Training Cost
- Free of cost