Standing tall at just over 3.5 feet, Yogesh Thakkar converts rough stones into sparkling polished diamonds.
He is just three-and-a-half feet tall, but can convert rough stones into sparkling polished diamonds with ease like any other diamond polisher. In fact, Yogesh Thakkar, the person we are talking about, has been doing it for almost half his life.
"I started working in a diamond factory in Ahmedabad when I was just over 16, and had failed in the SSC exams. I wanted to study, but lost the enthusiasm after my failure," says Yogesh, 32, sitting on a specially-made chair and working on small diamonds.
A native of Junagadh, Yogesh studied and grew up in Ahmedabad. The years of experience has made him adept at various processes of diamond polishing, and his skill is similar to the other workers.
"I have no regrets for my small height. There is no point in having regrets. I am happy with what I am and how I am. I am trying to make the best use of what God has given me," says Yogesh, who is a big fan of Gujarati film actors Hiten Kumar and Roma Manek.
Besides diamond polishing, Yogesh also takes care of office work such as handling diamond packets, making markings, among others.
The youngest of five siblings, including three sisters, Yogesh is the only one in his family who is markedly small, as the build of all other family members is average.
In spite of being physically different and smaller than others, Yogesh says he faces no problem at work. In fact, in an industry where high attrition in a norm, this is the reason why Yogesh has been working in the same company for the last 15 years.
"I started in some other factory, but I joined Sahyog Gems 15 years back, and have been working here since then. The people here, including the other workers, managers and even our owner, are very understanding. I have never felt the need to look for work anywhere else, as I am very happy and content here," he says.
Ramesh Jasani, manager of Sahyog Gems, says, "We have a specially-made high chair for Yogesh. We show some leniency towards him because of his physical limitations, but his work is at par with the other workers."
Asked about his future plans, Yogesh says he plans to continue working as a diamond polisher. Getting married is also on his mind, but Yogesh accepts that finding a suitable match could be difficult for him.
However, Jasani said they are hopeful that they would be able to find a life partner for the 'little' diamond polisher.
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