INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 201154

Modi Honours Industry Gemshe Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) held the 38th Annual Awards function on October 11, 2011,

at Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium, Surat to honour top performers in the gem and jewellery field. India’s gem and jewellery exports saw a 53% jump from a mere $28 billion in 2009-10 to a whopping $43 billion in 2010-11.

Chief guest Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat, felicitated 31 proud winners in the presence of industry dignitaries, including GJEPC chairman Rajiv Jain, vice chairman Sanjay Kothari, and awards convener Kanubhai Shah.

“It’s a privilege to be here among this august gathering and for the opportunity to felicitate the winners,” Modi said in his keynote address. “I thank the GJEPC for

having taken this initiative that not only promotes talent but sows a much-needed competitive seed in the industry that drives everyone towards excellence.

“This kind of superlative performance and growth is achieved when the company’s values, vision, management style, technological upgradation – all come together in perfect unison. You have done Gujarat and the country proud.”

At the same time, Modi advised that the diamond industry should not rest on its laurels and restrict itself to being the best in the cutting and polishing business. “We need to add value to our business and improve our brand image globally. Have a larger perspective and acquire diamond mines instead,” he urged the industry. This, according to him, was one way of dealing with the rough shortage.

“I know of many Gujarati businessmen, who own coal mines, and the next time I am invited to the function, I would like to honour diamantaires who also own diamond mines.”

Modi also told the gathering that the industry’s persistent demand for an international airport is on the government’s agenda. “We have been appealing to the central government for better air connectivity to Surat, a thriving diamond hub, but so far the request has yet to be acted upon.”

Modi informed that India was a youthful nation, and it was necessary that the industry should channelise the energies of the youth to collectively help promote skill development. He urged the gem and jewellery industry to identify areas that help promote skills.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi lighting the lamp at the Annual Awards ceremony in Surat.

Rank Name City/Country

Cut & Polished Diamonds - (DTC Sight Holders)1 Kiran Gems Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai2 Gitanjali Gems Ltd. Mumbai3 Dharmanandan Diamond Pvt. Ltd Mumbai4 Laxmi Diamond Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai4 Sanghavi Exports International Pvt. Ltd Mumbai

Cut & Polished Diamonds - Others1 J.B. and Brothers Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai2 Shree Ramkrishna Export Mumbai3 Hari Krishna Exports Mumbai4 Star Rays Surat

Studded Precious Metal Jewellery Exports By Units From EPZ/EOU Complexes1 Renaissance Jewellery Ltd. Mumbai2 Kiran Jewelry Surat

Plain Precious Metal Jewellery Exports By Units From EOU/EPZ Complexes1 Shree Ganesh Jewellery House Ltd. Kolkata

Plain Gold Jewellery Exports By Units From DTA1 Sumati Chand Gouti Jewellers (P) Ltd. Mumbai2 Vallabhji Malsi & Co Mumbai

Cut & Polished Colored Gemstones - Payment Realisation Basis1 RMC Gems India Ltd Jaipur2 Kothari Gems Jaipur

Cut & Polished Synthetic Stones1 Industrial Jewels Pvt Ltd Mumbai

Costume/ Fashion Jewellery1 Amrapali Exports Jaipur

Silver Jewellery1 ACPL Exports Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi

Sales To Foreign Tourists1 Silver & Art Palace Jaipur

Emerging Exporters Category1 Ashok Jewels Jaipur

Total Limit Sanctioned By Bank1 The Royal Bank Of Scotland N.V. Mumbai2 State Bank Of India Mumbai

Percentage Growth In Number Of Clients Financed1 State Bank of India Mumbai

Agency Supplying Gold To Exporters On Replenishment1 The Bank of Nova Scotia Mumbai

Highest Importer Of Cut & Polished Diamonds -Japan1 Tsutsumi Jewelry Co Ltd. Japan

Highest Importer Of Cut & Polished Diamonds –USA1 Anaya Gems, Inc. USA

Highest Importer Of Cut & Polished Diamonds -South East Asia1 R.A.Gem Centre Ltd. Hong Kong

Highest Importer Of Cut & Polished Diamonds -Europe1 Kiran Exports Bvba Belgium

Highest Importer Of Gold Jewellery (Plain & Studded)1 Siroya Jewellers L.L.C UAE

Highest Importer Of Cut & Polished Coloured Gemstones1 Lee Gems & Jewellery Co. Hong Kong

Award For The Year 2009-10Cut & Polished Diamonds – Others4 H. Vinodkumar & Co. - 4th rank Mumbai (for the year 2009-10)

GJEPCAWARDS

GJEPC 38th annual award winnErs

He also suggested that diamond companies could identify bright youths and send them for further training to educational institutes. “You will readily get a skilled workforce without having to scour for talent.”

One of the many ideas that he proposed was to document the rags-to-

riches success stories of entrepreneurs who began as small traders and went on to dominate the global gem and jewellery business. “This will inspire today’s youth to join the industry.”

Speaking at the function, Jain said, “The GJEPC has an undeniable contribution to the growth of the Indian

economy. With total export figures of around $43 billion we are furthering the cause of making India the global leader in the gem and jewellery sector and creating brand India. These awards are an endeavour to acknowledge the winners who led the growth and set an example for the rest to emulate.”

GJEPCAWARDS

INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 201156

“The GJEPC has an undeniable contribution to the growth of the Indian economy. With total export figures of around $43 billion we are furthering the cause of making India the global leader in the gem and jewellery sector and creating brand India."