Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council congratulated the Tokyo Olympic 2020 champions by giving them conceptualised brooches as a token of appreciation.
The felicitation took place at the Jewellers for Hope event.
On behalf of the gem and jewellery industry, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) felicitated three winners of the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 at its annual charity initiative Jewellers for Hope (JFH).
GJEPC launched JFH in 2014 to mobilise the entire industry from manufacturers, traders to miners and retailers, to raise funds for organisations that are doing exemplary work in the field of education and health, or empowering women and marginalised sections of society.
In the past, Jewellers for Hope has supported NGOs like “Make A Wish Foundation, Swades Foundation, Friends of Tribal Society, working towards girl child education, Sanitation, etc. Also Voluntary Action Association run by Nobel Prize winner Mr. Kailash Satyarthi working with a mission to end all forms of exploitation of Children in India; Giants Welfare International run by Social Activist Ms. Shaina NC; Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayta Samiti or Jaipur Foot run under the supervision of Padma Bhushan Recipient, Mr. D.R. Mehta and assisting disabled with artificial limbs, calipers and other aids totally free of charge.
This year’s JFH beneficiaries were Udayan Care and SDADiamond Hospital & Medical Research Centre.
The event also celebrated the Olympic heroes for representing India at a global platform. The Council commissioned the winners of ‘Artisan Awards 2021’ its annual design competition, to design brooches for the Olympians as a souvenir of the glory that they have bought to the nation.
Karnataka Chief Minister Shri. Basavaraj Bommai said, “The state of Karnataka is setting up a Gem Park and sought the GJEPC to explore the opportunity. The people of coastal and north Karnataka are uniquely skilled. I appreciate the fact that the gem and jewellery industry employs over 4 million karigars.
“The artisans of the industry have almost no formal education, despite this it’s their skill that makes them stand apart from others. The value of jewellery accounts for the hard work that’s been put in by artisans. Our skilled artisans in the gem industry are considered amongst the best in the world.
He further thanked GJEPC for felicitating the Olympians. He said sportspersons of the state will be encouraged so that future Olympians are created, all they requirements will be taken care of. He also said that the state will adopt 75 sportspersons to train them for the next Olympics.
“The Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modi has set target of 400 million dollars in exports for the gem & jewellery industry which is commendable and I’m sure the industry will reach its target.
“Today bring birth anniversary of Sri. Viswevarayya, a doyen, he was truly a ‘Gem of the Country’.
He thanked the Council for bringing the show to Bengaluru and rounded up by saying, “anything in Bengaluru”.
Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “The gem and jewellery industry was at the forefront to fight against Covid-19. The industry engaged in numerous charitable acts as everyone opened their purse strings to help the artisans by way of providing food, medicines, ration kits, sanitisers, etc. Collectively or individually, the industry has been contributing immensely towards the development of society at large, and has aided orphanages, old-age homes, schools, hospitals, sanitation, and more.”
Colin further added, “GJEPC has created a Swasthya Kosh fund, which is utilised towards paying 75% of the health insurance premiums of the contracted and unorganised workforce of the industry.”
Since its inception, the industry has been carrying out a host of philanthropic activities. They have been the torchbearers for silently striving towards the betterment of society. In 2020, despite the pandemic lockdowns and subsequent mass migration of workers, the industry has recorded a phenomenal growth due to the unified efforts of the community.
For years, the gem and jewellery industry has spearheaded CSR initiatives as a way of giving back to society and uniting for a common cause.