(Image source from: Surat merchant gives cars)

Stories of rich Indian kings giving off large amount of their wealth to their subjects are not new in the country. But what astonished all were the Diwali gifts given off by a Surat merchant to his employees.

Diamond exporter Savjibhai Dholakiya based in Surat, Gujarat gifted around 500 cars and nearly 200 flats, as well as expensive jewellery, to 1200 of his employees as Diwali bonus.

The Diwali bonus were gifted on Sunday at a huge ground where brand new cars were lined up.

Savjibhai Dholakiya said his employees were hardworking and deserved the gifts.

The bonus was given to those employees who had achieved their annual targets during the year. Savji Bhai gifted 491 cars to his employees who didn't have a car. Nearly 200 employees, who didn't have a house of their own, were gifted flats by their boss. And almost 525 employees were gifted gold and diamond jewellery.

An employee of Savji Bhai said that they were gifted cars, flats and gold as Diwali bonus. And that the gifts were according to their our requirements.

Savji Bhai said they selected 1200 employees and gave them a target. The employees who achieve the target gets such gifts, added the diamond merchant.

One employee said that he received received a string of diamonds as a gift from Savji Bhai.

Another employee who was gifted a car said he considers himself lucky to have an employer like Savji Bhai.

This year Diwali, the festival of light, will be celebrated on October 23. Diwali is a popular festival in India. During this festival people exchange gifts ranging from sweets and nuts to home appliances and cash.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)