SHRI GAUTAM ADANI ADVOCATES TECHNOLOGY & SUSTAINABILITY AT GJEPC’S 51ST INDIA GEM & JEWELLERY AWARDS IN JAIPUR

Business Tycoon Shri Gautam Adani Graces the Event

Business tycoon Shri Gautam Adani (Chairman, Adani Group) graced GJEPC’s 51st edition of the IGJ Awards as Presiding Guest. Representing GJEPC were Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Nirmal Bardiya, Regional Chairman, Rajasthan, GJEPC; Shri Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC, and Shri Sachin Jain, Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council and Shri Gopal Kumar, Director and General Manager, Gemfields India Pvt. Ltd was also present along with the who’s who and doyens of India’s gem & jewellery industry.

Shri Gautam Adani’s Address to the Industry

While addressing a packed hall of diamond, gem, and jewellery trade, Shri Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, said, “Technology and sustainability are the twin pillars of our future. As we embrace the digital age, let’s ensure our growth is both innovative and responsible. Empowering and uplifting our skilled artisans and craftsmen with digital tools will propel our jewellery heritage to new heights. Ultimately, our youth are the architects of tomorrow. Let’s nurture their potential, and create an India that shines brightly on the world stage.”

Adani further added, “Innovation and sustainability are not just trends but the foundation for the future of the gem and jewellery industry. From advanced manufacturing techniques to smart wearables, technology is revolutionizing the jewellery industry, offering endless opportunities for customisation and connection. The gem and jewellery industry must embrace change, challenge the status quo, and adapt to evolving consumer needs to remain a global leader.”

Visionary Remarks from GJEPC Leadership

Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC addressing the audience said, “Think big, innovate relentlessly, and embrace technology—the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry is brighter than ever. With robust retail growth, projects like the India Jewellery Park in Mumbai, Jaipur’s Gem Bourse, and the Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC are transforming the landscape. Supported by visionary government policies and FTAs, our industry is poised to scale new heights. Together, we can position India as a global leader in gems and jewellery, setting benchmarks for innovation, excellence, and sustainability.”

Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, added, “The gem and jewellery industry demonstrated incredible resilience by achieving $32 billion in exports last year, despite facing numerous challenges. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the award winners who have been instrumental in leading this remarkable achievement and inspiring the industry to greater heights.”

Industry Insights from Key Stakeholders

Shri Sachin Jain, Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council said, “This is our time, our era. The next ten years belong to India. As an industry, we aim to emotionally connect with consumers, especially the younger generation, through modern approaches. We are also committed to supporting our Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,’ transitioning India from a developing to a developed nation. We are collaborating with the government to define gold’s role in this journey, preparing for milestones in 2030, 2035, and beyond. IGJA is a celebration of remarkable achievements and the people behind them.”

Shri Sriram Natarajan, MD, GIA India said, “The Indian gem and jewellery industry holds immense significance for our nation, contributing substantially to exports, GDP, and employment. This success has been achieved in a remarkably short time through the entrepreneurial grit and global business acumen of business families, supported ably by the government, GJEPC, banks, and institutions like GIA and others. The industry thrives on healthy competition to bring out the best and demonstrates unparalleled collaboration when united by collective strength. With IGJA, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, their families, employees, and all contributors to this success. Congratulations to all the IGJA award winners on this well-deserved recognition.”

India Gems and Jewellery Awards (IGJA) 2024 – Winner list:

Lifetime Achievement and Special Recognition Awards

Shri Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, Derewala Industries Ltd. received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shri Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, Derewala Industries Ltd., is a visionary leader whose contributions have significantly shaped the Indian gem and jewellery industry. During his tenure as GJEPC Chairman, he spearheaded transformative initiatives such as establishing Common Facility Centres, a world-class laboratory in Jaipur, and laying the groundwork for key projects like the Jewellery Park in Mumbai and the Gem Bourse in Jaipur. His leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, securing relief for the industry and workers, stands as a testament to his compassion and resolve. As National Chairman of the National Gem & Jewellery Council of India (NGJCI), his legacy continues to inspire. This Lifetime Achievement Award is truly well-deserved.

Shri Pankaj Parikh, Regional Chairman, GJEPC, was honored with a Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the jewellery industry in the Eastern region. A true visionary, Shri Parikh has played a pivotal role in initiatives such as the establishment of the Manikanchan SEZ and the foundation of the Jewellery Park, which have significantly boosted the region’s prominence in the sector. His leadership, both as former Vice Chairman and current Regional Chairman of GJEPC, has been instrumental in driving growth, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities, making this recognition a well-deserved acknowledgment of his enduring impact.

Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, was honored for his remarkable 25 years of dedicated service to the Council. His commitment has been instrumental in transforming GJEPC into a globally respected trade body. From his early days as Director – Eastern Region to his elevation as Executive Director in 2007, Mr. Ray has played a pivotal role in shaping the gem and jewellery industry in India. His visionary leadership has led to the establishment of iconic initiatives like IIJS, IGJS Dubai and Jaipur, and Common Facility Centres, driving the industry’s growth and global prominence. Mr. Ray’s collaborative leadership style and dedication continue to inspire us all.

Ernst & Young LLP: Knowledge Partner for IGJA

Ernst & Young LLP (EY), as the Knowledge Partner for the India Gem and Jewellery Awards (IGJA), ensures a transparent and fair evaluation process. Leveraging its expertise in data analysis and benchmarking, EY meticulously designs the selection criteria, including export performance, value addition, employment generation, and investment in R&D, to identify deserving winners.

The Legacy of IGJA

Since its inception in 1973, the IGJA has been an emblem of excellence in the gem and jewellery industry, recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that propel the industry forward. Every year, IGJA honors the best of the best, showcasing the pinnacle of achievement in the gem and jewellery sector. This prestigious ceremony celebrates companies and partners whose contributions have made the industry a shining example of export excellence. IGJA has evolved over the years to embrace new categories, including social responsibility, innovation, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the dynamic nature of our industry.

About The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC):

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today over 10,000 members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat, and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.