Editor’s Note
This remarkable discovery in Panna serves as a modern-day fable of fortune. While the finder’s luck is extraordinary, it underscores the region’s enduring geological wealth and the life-changing potential hidden beneath the surface.
The diamond-rich land of Panna has once again changed a laborer’s fortune. During the holy days of Navratri, a simple farmer-laborer on his way to visit a temple found a rare 4.4-carat diamond on the road. Its market value is estimated at 20 lakh rupees.
In fact, Govind Singh Adivasi (67), a resident of Guzar village panchayat Rahuniya, had set out on Monday morning to visit the Mata’s Madia temple. On the temple path, his eyes suddenly fell on a sparkling stone in the gravel (chala). Seeing the stone’s shine, he became suspicious and picked it up. When he showed it to his family members upon reaching home, everyone was astonished. Later, on the advice of his family, Govind, along with his son Jahar Singh, took the stone to the diamond office and deposited it.
Anupam Singh, an expert at the Panna Diamond Office, stated that the stone deposited by Govind Singh is a 4.4-carat diamond. It is an extremely bright and pure diamond. Its market price could be around 20 lakh rupees or more. For now, the diamond will go through the auction process and be deposited into the government’s revenue, after which the finder will be provided the amount as per established rules.
As the news of finding the diamond spread, a stream of well-wishers gathered at Govind Singh’s house. The entire family is excited. Son Jahar Singh said that with the money from the diamond, the family’s basic needs will be met first, and the remaining money will be used for the children’s education and farming.
The land of Panna district is known nationwide for diamonds. Here, diamonds are searched for by digging small pits in mining leases issued by the government. Often, people remain disappointed even after years of hard work, but sometimes, sudden luck can make a poor person a lakhpati. Finding a diamond on a temple path is considered an extremely rare coincidence.