GJEPC’s CSR initiative donates R1 crore to three beneficiaries
T he fifth Jewellers for Hope charity dinner organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on August 8th at Hotel JW Marriott, Sahar, was attended by the who’s who of the entire gem and jewellery industry.
Hosted by popular Bollywood actor and theatre personality Boman Irani, the gala evening raised a total of R1 crore for noble causes aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged sections of society. Irani entertained the audience with his inimitable comic style and won the hearts of all for his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s evergreen hit, My Way.
The donation amount was evenly distributed among the selected beneficiaries: Tribal Integrated Development & Education Trust (TIDE), Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care (SRLC), and Indian Army Welfare.
GJEPC chairman Pramod Agrawal gave the keynote address and invited guests of honour Paul Rowley, executive vice president, diamond trading & distribution, De Beers Group; and Evgeny Agureev, director, Alrosa. Among the dignitaries present were GJEPC vice chairman Colin Shah, GJEPC convener – promotions & marketing Milan Chokshi, and GJEPC convener – national exhibitions Mansukh Kothari.
In his speech, Pramod Agrawal said, “Jewellers for Hope is a platform where the gem and jewellery industry comes together to contribute for a common cause. As an industry, we have always contributed generously for the upliftment of the underprivileged. The gem and jewellery industry has been involved in large-scale philanthropic initiatives particularly in the field of primary education, health and hygiene since a long time. This year, we have chosen to support niche areas such as the Indian army welfare, tribal welfare, affordable health care and maternal care to the underprivileged. I thank all contributors for coming forward and supporting the Jewellers for Hope initiative.”
Addressing the gathering, Paul Rowley stated, “A diamond does changes lives; it is truly forever, and it reflects love. At De Beers, we have always believed in helping build society. India is no different from the African nations, where there is abundance of talent and skill sets. Through this initiative, we would like to make society a better place to live.”
Colin Shah noted, “The selection of the three NGOs Army Welfare, TIDE and SRLC, was a unanimous choice by the GJEPC members. All the three NGOs have done outstanding work for the needy and underprivileged.”
Formed in 2003 by a group of ten diamond merchant friends, TIDE (a part of the Bhansali Trust) has been working ceaselessly for the upliftment of poor and needy tribal people, and has ongoing projects in 17 states covering more than 5,000 villages. The Jewellers for Hope contribution will go towards the TIDE project in Kishangunj, Bihar, which focuses on primary education, health, hygiene, income generation through micro credit groups, etc. of tribal and Mushar (rat eaters) communities. Mushars are a destitute and neglected community, falling under the ‘mahadalit’ category.
SRLC is an initiative of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur to offer service and bring joy to the lives of the underserved sections of society. Inspired by Shrimad Rajchandraji and guided by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai, this NGO’s holistic, multipronged community support and development programmes are powered by genuine empathy, love and care of highly motivated volunteers. This unique tenfold benevolent programme is spread over 50 cities worldwide and has over 500 volunteers devoted to various causes related to mankind, animals and the environment.
Jewellers for Hope is contributing towards SRLC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital in Valsad District in an endeavour to provide affordable health care and maternal care services to remotest areas of Gujarat. The NICU plays a major role in saving the lives of prematurely born infants and in treating those with birth complications.
The Indian Army, through the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF), had approached the GJEPC and sought funding for multiple projects that will benefit army wives and children. The projects identified for support through Jewellers for Hope include furniture repair and internal painting at the Diamond Awwa Hostel (DAH).
The 2019 edition of Jewellers for Hope was powered by Gemological Institute of America (GIA), in association with De Beers.