Kishandas Maheshwari, a leading light of the coloured gemstone industry and the Jaipur Region, and the Convener of the Coloured Gemstone Panel Committee of The Gem & Jewellery Export Council (GJEPC) is no more. He lost a well and bravely fought battle against cancer this morning.

Soft-spoken and unassuming, Maheshwariji,  has had a long and strong association with the Council, since 1996. He was a bulwark for the organisation in all its activities for well over two decades, holding different posts at various times. 

As Convener of the Coloured Gemstone Panel Committee – a post he has held for  several terms at different times -- he was part of the GJEPC’s Committee of Administration (CoA), the highest decision making body of the Council. He has also served as the Regional Chairman of Jaipur Region; Co-Convener of the IIJS Sub-Committee, etc in the past.  

A   post Graduate in Commerce, Maheshwariji started his working life as a professor of Commerce at Government College, Shriganganagar. He also spent a short stint as professor at the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

During the 1980s, Maheshwariji  joined the family’s gemstones business. At the time of his passing, he was partner in M/s  G K Jewellers, M/s  GKB Enterprises and M/s  Laroc International, all Jaipur based firms. 

Maheshwariji was a keen philanthropist, and gave back to the community through several activities.

He held various positions at different times in the Maheshwari Samaj of Jaipur, which runs more than 10 schools and colleges in Jaipur. He was also Honorary Secretary for four years of the Jewellers Association, Jaipur, which was established in 1927. It is one of the oldest jewellery bodies of the country.

Maheshwariji was also a member of the managing Committee of FORTI, Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry.

The GJEPC mourns the loss of an industry stalwart, a committed member of the gems and jewellery industry and one of the finest human beings it has been the honour of the Council to be associated with.  

The GJEPC conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of Shri Maheshwariji, and expresses solidarity with them in their grief.