Surat: The Diwali vacation in diamond units in Surat has been extended for a week.

The earlier date of reopening of diamond units was 17 November, which is also the date of reopening of schools after Diwali vacation. However, the diamond unit workers are informed through messages by several companies that the date of reopening is now shifted to 24 November. According to insiders, several units may extend this date further to 30th November.

Every year, lakhs of diamond industry workers from Surat return to their native places in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat before Diwali as the diamond units declare Diwali vacation. The date of reopening is conveyed to laborers in advance. This year, the date of reopening was conveyed as 17 November; however, it has been extended to 24 November now, obviously due to the ongoing slowdown in the diamond industry worldwide due to global factors.

The laborers with their children studying in Surat are likely to return around 17 November only, as the schools are reopening on this date after Diwali vacation. DeshGujarat