Madhya Pradesh: Farmer digs up Rs 1 crore diamond in Panna

BHOPAL: This one, he did not toss. A farmer in MP's Panna district, used to digging up weeds and stones on his 2-acre farm, found a pebble on Thursday that looked and felt different... Felt like Rs 1 crore.
It was a diamond.
Swamidin Pal, who has been trying his luck in Panna's shallow diamond mines for eight gruelling years, found the 32.8-carat diamond in a small plot he leased in Sarkoha area, around 9km from the district headquarters.
Pal works on his two-acre farm on the outskirts of Panna to feed his family, but religiously spends five months a year digging for diamonds.
"I was working in the field when I found the diamond," he said, thrilled that his persistence paid off.
‘Will buy agri land for my sons so they can avoid labour work’
He shouted out to his sons, showed them the diamond and the three of them headed for the district diamond office where they deposited the precious find.
The diamond will be included in an upcoming auction. After 12% royalty deduction, the rest of the proceeds will be credited to Pal’s account.
How does it feel to be a crorepati? Pal, who has always known hardship and poverty, said, “My tomorrow is safe. I am happy that my family will not face that suffering I went through. I will buy agricultural land for my two sons so they can avoid labour work. God has been kind.”
Govt officials said the diamond could exceed Rs one crore in value. This year, 16 diamonds, totalling 124 carats, have been deposited at the Panna diamond office.
The last time a crore-plus diamond was found in Panna was in Feb 2022 when a brick kiln worker, who had been prospecting for 10 years, dug up a 26.11 carat sparkler near Krishna Kalyanpur area, around 9km from where Pal found his destiny.