Dreaming of diamonds: Generations dig for fortune in India's gem town

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India, lies the town of Panna, a place where dreams of finding diamonds are alive and well. Prakash Sharma, a 67-year-old diamond miner, has dedicated his life to this pursuit for the past fifty years. He passionately states, 'I feel sick if I don’t search for diamonds. It’s like a drug. ' Panna is known for its diamond reserves, but it is also one of the poorest regions in the country, facing challenges such as poverty, water shortages, and high unemployment rates. Despite these difficulties, the allure of diamonds continues to draw hopeful miners to the area. Most of the diamond mines in Panna are managed by the government, but they lease small plots of land to individual miners at very low prices. The district is home to India's only mechanized diamond mine, but the once-abundant diamond reserves have dwindled due to years of over-mining. Nevertheless, miners remain optimistic and continue their search for fortune. When they find diamonds, they must submit them to the government diamond office, which evaluates and sells the stones at auction. After deducting taxes and royalties, the miners receive a portion of the proceeds, which can be a bittersweet reward for their hard work. Prakash began his diamond hunting journey in 1974, right after finishing school, inspired by his father, who was a well-known diamond miner in their village. His first significant find was a six-carat diamond, which was worth a considerable amount of money at the time. This discovery ignited his passion for diamond hunting, leading him to choose this path over a low-paying government job. In Panna, diamond hunting is often a family tradition, passed down through generations. Shyamlal Jatav, a 58-year-old miner, comes from such a family. His grandfather started mining, and now his son helps out while balancing his studies. Shyamlal recalls that his grandfather found many diamonds, but they did not sell for much back then. Today, however, some diamonds can fetch tens of millions of rupees. Raja Gound is one of the fortunate miners who struck it rich. After years of struggling with debt, he found a massive 19. 22-carat diamond in July and sold it at a government auction for around 8 million rupees, equivalent to about $95,178. Miners in Panna dedicate more than ten hours a day to their craft, starting their work at dawn. They dig through gravel, wash it, and sift through the material until sunset, often with the help of their families. This physically demanding work is an integral part of life in Panna, filled with conversations about dreams and hopes for a brighter future. For many, diamond hunting is not just a job; it is a way of life that connects them to their ancestors and their community.