Diamond merchant returns with a river

Gujaratis are among the most enterprising peoples in the world. At the same time, it is rare that they forget their roots. The people from Kutch have made their region a money-order economy. They go abroad wherever and send money back home so that there's fire in the hearth in the desert. Likewise, the enterprising people of Saurashtra are diamond merchants in Surat in South Gujarat. They too do not forget their roots, and try to do something back home. A diamond merchant in Surat, Jerambhai Dhesia, made big in the trade. But he did not forget Saurashtra where a drop of water carries a premium. He had seen people struggling to fetch water for their families. Now Jerambhai is digging up a river itself so water can be stored over a stretch of 8 kilometres. He also proposes to build a dam so water is stored and not evaporated in the harsh climate of Saurashtra. Recalling his childhood in Amreli, Jerambhai reminds one of the harsh climate and lack of water that makes life miserable. So he had decided to dig up the Tebi river. So far one-fourth of the work is over. He maintains the workers and looks after their needs. His wife cooks for the workers. One might think that Jerambhai might be digging up for spotting diamonds. True, he is doing it for the more precious and life-giving water than stones. Jerambhai does not believe in making proposals, raising tenders, and waiting for government funds. He blieves in going on regardless, banking on his own resources as a successul diamond merchant of Surat. After completion, the Tebi will become an evergreen stretch helping the farmers raise three cops locally. It would also ensure water for the people for 5 centuries.