Honesty and Integrity must be practiced, not just preached

In the Yajurveda, it's said, "Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara" which means "Speak the truth, follow the path of righteousness.

I find myself reflecting on the deep importance of Honesty in my life's journey. As Shri Dongreji Maharaj always says, “Morals and skills are the most important things to build a successful life".

Guided by the timeless wisdom of the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita and my devotion to Lord Ram, honesty has always been my guiding light. In both my personal and professional life, honesty shapes my actions and decisions, as I believe that being truthful builds trust.        

Back in 1970, I had a situation regarding my first diamond purchase. It was expected that after polishing, the weight of the diamonds should be at least 28% of the original rough weight. However, we managed to achieve a finished diamond weight of 34%. My partner wasn't happy with this because he thought it might be a trouble for other diamond polishers. He suggested not declaring the extra yield and replacing heavier diamonds with smaller ones to match the standard yield, but my principles didn’t allow me to do so and i truthfully declared and did the needful. Whatever work you do, honesty and moral values are most important.

Another instance happened when I travelled to Kashmir in 1976 and saw our heroes protecting our borders. I couldn't help but wonder: if we don’t pay our taxes honestly, how will the government be able to manage the borders? If no one is protecting the borders, how will we be safe? When I got back to Surat, I gathered 300 diamond traders and 5 CAs. I made them understand the benefits and tried to spread awareness about doing business honestly and paying taxes on time. This helped us initiate a change towards honesty in the diamond Industry.

This is just a small example of the importance of honesty that I want to share with the youth today.

Today, as we honour honesty, let's remember the simple yet important message of speaking the truth and doing what's right. Let's renew our commitment to living with integrity, knowing that it leads us to inner peace and spiritual fulfillment. May we all walk the path of honesty, honouring the values that connect us as human beings. 

#worldhonestyday