Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district have struck fortune after discovering a 17.96-carat diamond. Officials have estimated that the stone could fetch at least Rs 50 lakh at a government auction scheduled for October. The diamond was found in a mine in Sarokha village that had been jointly leased by the seven men two years ago. The stone has been classified as “gem quality,” making it one of the finer varieties of natural diamonds found in the region.Ravi Patel, an official with the Panna diamond office, described the stone as “precious” and said it would be put up for auction in the first half of October, when buyers from India and abroad are expected to participate.The discovery is unusual because the labourers themselves hold the lease for the mining plot. In many cases, workers in Panna’s diamond mines are employed by lease-holders and do not receive the proceeds from major finds. In this case, after the government deducts a 12 per cent royalty, the remaining amount will be divided equally among the seven men.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-pilot-fell-asleep-during-phuket-delhi-flight-here-s-what-we-know-1786593726749">Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know</a>One of the lease-holders, Akhilesh Pal, said the group had almost given up on the mine after failing to find diamonds for nearly two years.“We had been mining there for about two years,” he said, “but we had no luck, so we closed the mine for a year. We had started another mine right next to it.”He said the diamond was found when they returned to inspect the abandoned pit after recent heavy rains.“When we went there to inspect the new one, we also looked inside the old mine, and that’s where we found it - right on top,” Pal said.Panna, which holds most of India’s diamond reserves, has long attracted fortune seekers despite widespread poverty, unemployment and water scarcity. According to reports, three of the labourers said that they had been unable to marry because of financial hardship. The diamond discovery could now dramatically alter their circumstances.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district found a 17.96-carat gem-quality diamond worth at least Rs 50 lakh in a jointly leased mine. The stone will be auctioned in October.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district have struck fortune after discovering a 17.96-carat diamond. Officials have estimated that the stone could fetch at least Rs 50 lakh at a government auction scheduled for October. The diamond was found in a mine in Sarokha village that had been jointly leased by the seven men two years ago. The stone has been classified as “gem quality,” making it one of the finer varieties of natural diamonds found in the region. Ravi Patel, an official with the Panna diamond office, described the stone as “precious” and said it would be put up for auction in the first half of October, when buyers from India and abroad are expected to participate. The discovery is unusual because the labourers themselves hold the lease for the mining plot. In many cases, workers in Panna’s diamond mines are employed by lease-holders and do not receive the proceeds from major finds. In this case, after the government deducts a 12 per cent royalty, the remaining amount will be divided equally among the seven men. Also read | Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know One of the lease-holders, Akhilesh Pal, said the group had almost given up on the mine after failing to find diamonds for nearly two years. “We had been mining there for about two years,” he said, “but we had no luck, so we closed the mine for a year. We had started another mine right next to it.” He said the diamond was found when they returned to inspect the abandoned pit after recent heavy rains. “When we went there to inspect the new one, we also looked inside the old mine, and that’s where we found it - right on top,” Pal said. Panna, which holds most of India’s diamond reserves, has long attracted fortune seekers despite widespread poverty, unemployment and water scarcity. According to reports, three of the labourers said that they had been unable to marry because of financial hardship. The diamond discovery could now dramatically alter their circumstances.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district found a 17.96-carat gem-quality diamond worth at least Rs 50 lakh in a jointly leased mine. The stone will be auctioned in October.

Seven labourers strike it rich after finding diamond worth Rs 50 lakh in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna

In a significant development and major relief for millions of migrant workers, Saudi Arabia has officially announced to end of the Kafala System, providing more freedom and rights to work in the country. The plan to end the Kafala labour system was announced in June as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 'Vision 2030', a multi-trillion-dollar plan to clean the reputation of the country to attract foreign investors, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and reforms.<h3>What is the kafala system?</h3>The five-decade-old Kafala labour sponsorship system, which had been in place in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East, was an inhuman control over employees, which included the seizure of travel documents and the decision on when they could change their jobs or leave the country.&nbsp;This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel, a sponsor who could be either an individual or a company.&nbsp;This kafeel held extensive authority over the workers’ lives, deciding their place of employment, controlling their wages, and even determining where they could live.&nbsp;More disturbingly, workers were barred from filing abuse complaints without their sponsor’s approval — a clause that seemed both illogical and unjust. Although conditions were somewhat better for skilled or white-collar employees, the system drew widespread criticism from labour and human rights organisations.<h3>How the kafala system will affect the Indian labourers</h3>The end of this system is a landmark move in Gulf labour reforms, aligning with international human rights standards and responding to long-standing pressures from human rights organisations like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), but it has significantly affected around 2.3 to 2.6 million Indian migrant workers residing and working in the kingdom. In addition, it is expected to affect nearly 13 million foreign workers overall, with Indians being the largest expatriate worker group.&nbsp;No matter how exploited they were, and now finally received relief, but due to this system, Indian workers were getting more jobs as compared to other nations, resulting in a record of receiving a high amount of remittance for India. Based on the last reported fiscal year (2023-24), Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately 6.7 per cent of India's total inward remittances.&nbsp;Despite gaining more freedom and mobility, workers may still face challenges in securing new jobs, as individual sponsors might feel uncertain or hesitant about hiring foreign labourers easily without any terms and conditions.

This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel.

In a significant development and major relief for millions of migrant workers, Saudi Arabia has officially announced to end of the Kafala System, providing more freedom and rights to work in the country. The plan to end the Kafala labour system was announced in June as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 'Vision 2030', a multi-trillion-dollar plan to clean the reputation of the country to attract foreign investors, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and reforms. What is the kafala system? The five-decade-old Kafala labour sponsorship system, which had been in place in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East, was an inhuman control over employees, which included the seizure of travel documents and the decision on when they could change their jobs or leave the country. This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel, a sponsor who could be either an individual or a company. This kafeel held extensive authority over the workers’ lives, deciding their place of employment, controlling their wages, and even determining where they could live. More disturbingly, workers were barred from filing abuse complaints without their sponsor’s approval — a clause that seemed both illogical and unjust. Although conditions were somewhat better for skilled or white-collar employees, the system drew widespread criticism from labour and human rights organisations. How the kafala system will affect the Indian labourers The end of this system is a landmark move in Gulf labour reforms, aligning with international human rights standards and responding to long-standing pressures from human rights organisations like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), but it has significantly affected around 2.3 to 2.6 million Indian migrant workers residing and working in the kingdom. In addition, it is expected to affect nearly 13 million foreign workers overall, with Indians being the largest expatriate worker group. No matter how exploited they were, and now finally received relief, but due to this system, Indian workers were getting more jobs as compared to other nations, resulting in a record of receiving a high amount of remittance for India. Based on the last reported fiscal year (2023-24), Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately 6.7 per cent of India's total inward remittances. Despite gaining more freedom and mobility, workers may still face challenges in securing new jobs, as individual sponsors might feel uncertain or hesitant about hiring foreign labourers easily without any terms and conditions.

This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel.

What is Kafala system? Saudi Arabia abolishes labour system that can affect 2.3 million Indian workers

Indian govt announces important measures for migrants, daily-wage labors. In this video know, What measures?

Indian govt announces important measures for migrants, daily-wage labourers

Ivanka Trump&#39;s visit to India is much anticipated one. The American president&#39;s daughter, who is a White House adviser, will be in the country to promote female entrepreneurship and economic power.&nbsp; 
 
Interestingly, clothes that are part of Trump&#39;s fashion line, are made in India and while there have been reports about the harsh working conditions that the women working in her factory have to endure on a regular basis- Trump has maintained a stoic silence over the matter throughout.&nbsp; 
 
Trump has called for more support for working women around the world but ironically has remained silent about the female workforce in India and other Asian countries that makes her clothing. 
 
So far, Trump&#39;s brand has not identified the factories that make her clothing neither has it acknowledged the working conditions of these women or how underpaid they are.&nbsp; 
 
India&#39;s garment industry, at large, is plagued by problems. Most are underpaid, women face verbal and sexual harassment and in most places, working conditions are not conducive.&nbsp;

&quot;On the positive side, it&#39;s a huge employer for women, but the systematic issue is that we don&#39;t treat women properly, otherwise they would not be working in this kind of system,&quot; said Anita Cheria To Washington Post. Cheria is the director of the social justice group Open Space, which works with garment workers in the southern city of Bangalore. &quot;These industries can do much better for women,&quot; added Cheria.&nbsp;

Ivanka&#39;s visit is set to strengthen her global image of a woman entrepreneur. Her keynote address at an entrepreneur summit in India will be themed &quot;Women First, Prosperity for All.&quot; 
 
Trump will be visiting Hyderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a gala dinner for her at the historic Falaknuma Palace. Several VVIP guests are expected to attend the event.&nbsp;

Ivanka Trump is increasingly playing a prominent role in her father&#39;s administration. She frequently represents the US among foreign dignitaries and heads of state. 
 
But what remains to be seen in whether&nbsp;she addresses the issues of her own employees during her India visit. Considering she has been a champion for working women, critics would have a keen eye on whether she finally addresses and acknowledges the female workforce of her own company.&nbsp;

Ivanka's keynote address at an entrepreneur summit in India will be themed "Women First, Prosperity for All"

Ivanka Trump's visit to India is much anticipated one. The American president's daughter, who is a White House adviser, will be in the country to promote female entrepreneurship and economic power. Interestingly, clothes that are part of Trump's fashion line, are made in India and while there have been reports about the harsh working conditions that the women working in her factory have to endure on a regular basis- Trump has maintained a stoic silence over the matter throughout. Trump has called for more support for working women around the world but ironically has remained silent about the female workforce in India and other Asian countries that makes her clothing. So far, Trump's brand has not identified the factories that make her clothing neither has it acknowledged the working conditions of these women or how underpaid they are. India's garment industry, at large, is plagued by problems. Most are underpaid, women face verbal and sexual harassment and in most places, working conditions are not conducive. "On the positive side, it's a huge employer for women, but the systematic issue is that we don't treat women properly, otherwise they would not be working in this kind of system," said Anita Cheria To Washington Post. Cheria is the director of the social justice group Open Space, which works with garment workers in the southern city of Bangalore. "These industries can do much better for women," added Cheria. Ivanka's visit is set to strengthen her global image of a woman entrepreneur. Her keynote address at an entrepreneur summit in India will be themed "Women First, Prosperity for All." Trump will be visiting Hyderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a gala dinner for her at the historic Falaknuma Palace. Several VVIP guests are expected to attend the event. Ivanka Trump is increasingly playing a prominent role in her father's administration. She frequently represents the US among foreign dignitaries and heads of state. But what remains to be seen in whether she addresses the issues of her own employees during her India visit. Considering she has been a champion for working women, critics would have a keen eye on whether she finally addresses and acknowledges the female workforce of her own company.

Ivanka Trump in India, mum about working conditions of employees