Indian Miner Finds Diamond That Changed His Life | World

Raju Gond from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh works in diamond mines and drives tractors for the wealthier farmers. On average, he earns about 40 Swedish kronor a day to support his large family, he writes. CNN.

But sometimes he and his younger brother Rakesh get a chance to earn 100 crowns when they prospect for gold on a plot of land owned by the authorities.

There Raju made a discovery that would change his entire life. He felt like he had found a rock. His heart began to beat faster as he cleaned the stone, which shone brighter and brighter.

“It seemed unbelievable,” Raju Gond says. “I knew it was a diamond even then.” CNN.

worth 1 million Swedish kronor

He and his brother Rakesh hugged and jumped for joy. They got on their bikes and headed home to share the news with their family. They then went with their mother to the local Panna Diamond office to have the diamond appraised.

The stone turned out to be a 19.22-carat white diamond, worth more than 1 million Swedish kronor, according to CNN. Gund has since left the diamond and is now waiting for it to be auctioned.

Big future plans

Raju is now able to open a bank account.

– It has changed our lives forever. The first thing I need to do is pay off my $6,000 debt (roughly 60,000 SEK). “Then we will invest in all our children and pay for their education, buy houses, some land and maybe even a tractor,” Raju Gond says.

He had previously said it had been difficult for the family, which consisted of his parents, wife and seven children, but also the families of his brother and sister.

Growing up, his father and grandfather told stories about people who found diamonds in the ground and how their lives were changed. Now it's time for him to share his story.

“We woke up this morning and went to Santa Claus again. We’re going to find more diamonds,” Gund told CNN.