It is now here that a collective dream that lasted almost 2 decades has come true. The entire Indian jewellery industry is under one single roof. We, as jewellers should engage not only with the government but also other associations. Let us all drive together under this roof, in the same direction – the direction of progress,ASHISH PETHE GJC ChairmanGJC’s premiere initiative GJS 2022 lauded for its excellent ambience, great service, fab business opportunities and for being a gastronomic delight!

The inaugural Gems and Jewellery Show 2022, (popularly known as Humara Apna Show-GJS) organized by the Gems and Jewellery Council of India was a grand success thanks to the strategic timing, international class venue and diligent services. Schedule from April 3-6, GJS 2022 had more than 600 exhibitors, 1277 booths, and more than 20,000 registered visitors. The international class venue, Jio World Convention Centre, was the star attraction of the event with all possible conveniences that a jeweller could imagine. Planned in April, when jewellers replenish stocks for the approaching Akshay Tritiya, Chaitra Navaratri and the wedding season, GJS 2022, was the best place for the Indian jeweller to stock from the widest range of choices available. The grand expo had a selection of the choicest manufacturers, wholesalers in gold, diamond, platinum and silver jewellery along with a host of loose diamond, coloured stone, machinery and allied suppliers. Through GJS, the main purpose of the Gems & Jewellery Council to promote the industry, work towards the progress of the Indian jeweller, while protecting the interests of its over 3 lakh members. The first edition of GJS 2022 was declared open when chief guests of honour Union Minister of State for Railways, Coal & Mines, Raosaheb Patil Danve, along with GJC Chairman, Ashish Pethe; Vice Chairman and GJS Convener GJS, Saiyam Mehra; Co-conveners GJS, Avinash Gupta and Nilesh Shobhawat; Founder & Chairman GJC, Ashok Minawala, Chairman of GJEPC, Colin Shah; Director at WGC, Ajit Mauskar and Chief Business Officer at BSE Sameer Patil, National President of IBJA

Prithviraj Kothari and other important delegates who lit the auspicious lamp on April 3. Floral tributes were offered and good wishes exchanged after which Nitin Khandelwal reached the podium to welcome the guests. Introducing the guest of honour Raosaheb, he said, “This man who lives in a village with just 20,000 people, has never lost an election in the past 35 years of his socio-political life; that should speak volumes about his popularity. Practicing yoga from the last 45 years, Raosaheb is also a sports enthusiast.”

Chief Guest of honour, Raosaheb Danve, Minister of Railways, Coal & Mines, GOI, asked, “I am a minister of black coal, I wonder why I was invited to this event of glitter and glamour? This parishad is for gold and I am for coal! India a country of poor farmers and when we go to buy gold we don’t see people’s names, we look for trust in the hundred-year old jeweller’s family name. Trust is worth more than gold he said and spoke of other matters and ended his speech by saying, “Come to me, if you want to find the diamond hidden in the coal!

Ashish Pethe, Chairman of the Council said, “It is now here that a collective dream that lasted almost 2 decades has come true. The entire Indian jewellery industry is under one single roof. We, as jewellers should engage not only with the government but also other associations. Let us all drive together under this roof, in the same direction – the direction of progress.” The GJC catalogue was launched as Saiyam Mehra, Vice Chairman GJC and Converner GJS took to the podium and spoke a few words after which he requested the Union Minister of Rails to create a special car or train for easy transport of gold, as transport of gold via train is not legal. “Do create problems for anti-social elements, but spare us for safe transit of gems and jewellery!”

THE INSIDE STORY
The mood was upbeat The mood was upbeat on the first day with animated business. Many jewellers lamented about the show being a bit slow initially, but expressed joy at the stead walk-ins by end of the day. Jayant Kulkarni from HRD Antwerp noted that the show was “extraordinary.” Amit Pratihari, Retail Director of De Beers informed the sentiment were good at the show. Rahul Rakvi, Head of Marketing at GIA noted that the show carried positive sentiments and was a wonderful opportunity for the local jeweller. Kiran Padture, General Manager at Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of India along with Rajeev Garg, Executive Director & CEO were present at the event to promote diminishing Indian heritage jewellery making.