This 65-Year-Old Diamond Trader Is Spending Rs. 15 Crore for Reviving a River in Gujarat

Jeram Thesia, a 65-year-old diamond trader from Surat has only one dream – to see the development of his native village, Ingorala, located in Thesia district of Gujarat. And for that he is ready to take every step he can. Currently, he is spending Rs. 15 crore from his own pocket to deepen and widen a 10 km stretch of Thebi River, which will become a lifeline for several farmers who have been suffering because of the lack of water in the region. Machines and dumpers are constantly working on the river since the last three months and Jeram is making sure that everything is in place.

He is well known as the ‘river man’ in the village.

Picture for representation only. Source: Axel Drainville/Flickr

Three months back, the river was just 2 feet deep and 70 feet wide. Now it is 25 feet deep, 700 feet wide, and work is still going on.

Jeram’s company, JJ Exports Pvt Ltd, is involved in trading diamonds and in real estate business as well. According to him, the entire stretch will be brimming with water during rains in the next two years and about 20 villages located in the 5km stretch on both sides of the river will benefit from this project. Underground water tables will rise and there will be water in the wells. Once the entire stretch is ready, it will be beneficial for about 70,000 bigha land.

“I was about to start deepening my farm well to get more underground water. But when I heard that Thebi river is being deepened, I abandoned the plan as the well will be automatically recharged,” a farmer from Ingorala told The Times of India.

Jeram Thesia had a bypass surgery two years ago, and he is diabetic too. But he is determined to bring about change and has devoted his life to the betterment of his native village and its people.

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