As his business flourished, Khailshanker began to take keener interest in public life. Nudged gently by Shri Manubhai Shah, then Minister for International Trade, he set up the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, becoming its Founder Chairman. Within two years, gem exports from the country had more than doubled. Khailshanker also initiated the GJEPC Awards for Outstanding Export as a form of encouragement to jewellers.
By the time he retired in 1985, Khailshanker had created an empire. He was also deeply committed to the various charitable trusts and the several institutions in the city of Jaipur he had set up over the years:
- The Santokba Durlabhji Trust
- The Santokba Durlabhji Clinic
- The Santokba Durlabhji Hospital-cum Medical Research Institute
- The Gujarati Samaj
- Subodh College
- Gemstones Artisans’ Training School
