A large number of diamantaires gathered together at a meeting convened by organisations from, and charitable trusts related to, the diamond industry, to pay tributes to industry veteran and visionary philanthropist Kavinbhai Parikh who passed away recently. The Condolence Meeting was held at Bharat Diamond Bourse on April 25, 2025.

 

The meeting was convened by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), Mumbai Diamond Merchants Association (MDMA), Vidyamandir Trust, Palanpur (VMT), Banaskantha District Kelavani Mandal, Palanpur (BDKM), Parikh Hospital (Mahajan Hospital), Palanpur and Palanpur Samaj Kendra (PSK).

 

Senior diamantaire Sanjay Kothari, who conducted the Shraddanjali Sabha, said that Kavinbhai was a very special person, one who devoted most of his time to working for the progress of the Samaj and the trade. He added that there have been only a few other stalwarts like him including Kanubhai Mehta, Arunbhai Mehta, Dineshbhai Bhansali, and Mafatlal (Mafatkaka) Mehta, to name a few. 

 

On behalf of the MDMA, Bharatbhai Shah described Kavinbhai as a one who was always ready go out of his way to help others. “After having being associated with him for nearly 50 years, I can say he was someone special, like Arunbhai and few others, who always made time for others.”

 

Long-time associate of Kavinbhai, and Chairman of BDKM, Dr Vikram Mehta, who could not be present, said, in a message that was read out, that his friendship with Kavinbhai goes back to their school days. He highlighted how alongside handling his business and family responsibilities, Kavinbhai also focused on development in Palanpur, especially through setting up quality education institutions. He was a founder member of BDKM and helped launch the first Commerce college named after his father. Later, he also facilitated setting up a Management college in his uncle’s name. “His role in raising the standards of higher education and making quality education available to over 10,000 students in this district was invaluable,” Vikrambhai said.

 

Chairman of GJEPC, Kiritbhai Bhansali recalled an incident in 2015, when as Convener of GJEPC’s Awards Committee, he had to convey the organisation’s plan to confer a Lifetime Achievement award on Kavinbhai. “He politely refused,” Kiritbhai said, “telling us that it was a principle for him and his family - we work for the samaj and not for awards. Service gives satisfaction, we do not want recognition.”

 

He said Kavinbhai will always inspire the trade to live by the values and standards he upheld.

 

Two condolence messages sent on video from Feriel Zerouki, President of World Diamond Council and Paul Rowley of De Beers were played and another message from Anoop Mehta, President, BDB, who could not be present, was read out.

 

Kanubhai Shah, President of PSK, who has also been close to Kavinbhai for more than six decades, said, “It is difficult to put in words what I am feeling over the loss of someone of Kavinbhai’s stature, integrity and character. He became more than a friend to me over the years, from the time we first met in Kolkata in late 50s and later, when I came to Mumbai shortly after he shifted here. He has left a lasting impression on many with his strong values, quiet strength, unwavering ethics, his willingness to help people stand on their feet, offering mentorship and support without hesitation, both within the business and beyond it as well.”

 

Mehul Shah, Vice-President, BDB said the trade owes a lot to Kavinbhai who was one of the individuals who pioneered the idea of the bourse. He added, “On a personal note, he was like a godfather to our family, but not just for us, since the company he established became an institution. Thousands learnt from Kavinbhai, the teacher, who not only taught about the business, but also how to handle multiple responsibilities - work, family, with discipline and hard work, while remaining true to values.” 

 

Shreyansbhai Dholakia, speaking on behalf of the SRK Family, said that the two families have had close ties for over four decades. “My father Govindbhai speaks very highly of Kavinkaka, and though I did not work closely with him, my interactions in working with others from his family have helped me realise what Kavinkaka must have been to many.”

 

Another senior diamantaire who could not be personally present, Russell Mehta shared his feelings in a short message that was read out. “Kavinbhai was a constant figure in my life from childhood due to his close ties with my parents. There are so many memories – from shared family holidays to quiet personal conversations and listening to his words of wisdom. He had a quiet dignity, an aura of warmth that made everyone feel at home. He was a gentleman in the truest sense, always thinking of others and giving rather than taking. Dad and Mom held him in highest esteem, and Mona and me share the same sentiment.”

 

Mehta added that Kavinbhai’s devotion to Palanpur was admirable and is reflected in his thoroughly researched and very meaningful book, Fragrant Folios, which reflects the depth of his feeling for his homeland.

 

Vidyamandir Managing Trustee Ashish Mehta spoke about his family’s “very close association with Kavinbhai – beginning from the time when he and my father worked together on numerous social initiatives in Palanpur especially Vidyamandir.”

 

Ashishbhai praised his vision and said that Kavinbhai was not only the founder and architect of multiple organisations – from business to social institutions, but one who “cared for and nurtured each of them – with financial sponsorship and other support, encouraging others to do likewise. He was always there with sage advice whenever it was needed and set high standards in the pursuit of excellence, integrity, ethics and hard work.”

 

Visionaries like Kavinbhai have made Palanpur the thriving city it is today by laying the foundations of stellar institutions in education and healthcare. “Kavinbhai firmly believed that good education was life changing and could have a long term impact on the community, and we can see how true this was when we look at Palanpur today.”

 

Ashishbhai explained that when the first of these institutions were being set up in the 1960s, Banaskantha had a literacy rate of 7% which has now jumped to over 80%, moving from being among the five districts in Gujarat with the lowest rates to now ranking among the Top 5. “This is a tribute to the commitment and vision of Kavinbhai who tirelessly worked in Palanpur, and also Navsari, devoting time and energy to shape these bodies during their most crucial formative years.”

 

While concluding the sharing of tributes, Sanjay Kothari described Kavinbhai as a true super hero. “He did so much, was so committed to many causes, yet was always unassuming and humble. Even when he was in wheelchair during the renovation of Parikh Hospital, he would measure dimensions in every corner and point out small things that needed to be done. While others would have opined that these minor things would not matter, Kavinbhai always insisted on perfection.”

 

The organisations that convened the meeting, then read out a brief condolence resolution and handed over a copy to the members of the Parikh family who were present. 

 

Responding on behalf of the family to the tributes paid to his father, Milanbhai described him as “a remarkable man with deep wisdom, an unwavering value system, absolute integrity, strong family values and humility. He was my guiding light, friend and gentle hero.”

 

Milanbhai also said that Kavinbhai loved the community and lived his life with joy, positivity, purpose and above all love. “He selflessly touched lives, lifted spirits and inspired us not by grand gestures but through his strong presence and gentle words. He leaves behind a lasting legacy which we will all strive to take forward.”