GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Charity Fundraiser Supports Women empowerment and Child Education: contributes to ‘Relief Projects India’ NGO in its 8th Edition

(L-R): Milan Chokshi, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC; Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Diamond Trading, De Beers Group; Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJPEC; Leading Actor Vicky Kaushal; Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Somasundaram PR, Managing Director, India, World Gold Council; Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief research and laboratory officer, GIA

• Leading Actor Vicky Kaushal graces Jewellers for Hope charity event and accepts donation on behalf of ‘Relief Projects India’ NGO

• GJEPC has helped raise funds for 13 NGOs over the last 7 years, positively impacting millions of lives.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) proudly hosted the 8th edition of its esteemed charity dinner, ‘Jewellers for Hope,’ at a glittering event attended by industry leaders and philanthropists. Backed by lead partner – De Beers; Associate Partner – World Gold Council; and powered by GIA; the ‘Jewellers for Hope’ charity event once again garnered overwhelming support from Jewellers, Diamond Exporters, retailers, and global associations. The proceeds of the charity dinner were donated to Relief Projects India, a leading NGO focussed on women-child centric issues and education.

Leading actor Vicky Kaushal personally attended this event on behalf of Relief Projects India and spoke about the organisation and the impact it has created in India. Relief Projects India is a dedicated non-profit Trust committed to making a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate through education, health, and awareness initiatives. The NGO’s primary focus lies in addressing critical issues such as female infanticide, foeticide, boy-child preference, and the challenges faced by women and children in rural villages.

Addressing the attendees Vicky Kaushal said, “I would like to extend many thanks and gratitude to Jewellers for Hope and The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council for recognising and supporting a cause which is so close to my heart – Relief Projects India (RPI). I am extremely proud of the work that RPI has put in over the years for their education programme – Mountain View School, which is dedicated on providing quality education and a safe environment to all underprivileged kids in the area. I hope and wish that you all continue your support towards all such noble causes in the years to come as well.”

Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “Since its inception, the gem and jewellery industry has been at the forefront of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, embracing the ethos of giving back to society and fostering unity for a common cause. Through the noble platform of ‘Jewellers for Hope,’ the Council has championed several meaningful causes, encompassing education, women’s empowerment, sanitation, and more. This year, we are delighted to extend our support to Relief Projects India. Their dedication to addressing critical issues such as female infanticide, foeticide, boy-child preference, and the challenges faced by women and children in rural villages resonates deeply with our values. By working together, we firmly believe that we can create a powerful force for change, fostering positive transformation and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.” Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Diamond Trading, De Beers Group, said, “Diamonds for development makes the world shine like diamonds and this shine can be brighter than sun through initiatives such as GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope. The jewellery business is privileged enough to bring smiles to people’s faces every day. The jewellery business celebrates people’s relationships and magical moments and initiatives such as Jewellers for Hope bring joy and happiness to them. De Beers refers to such events as Stories Forever and they are core to our business strategies. These Stories Forever create positive impact on a cleaner, greener and safer world. We have a detailed and dedicated footprint and roadmap for global issues such as carbon footprint, traceability of diamonds, gem stones for the environment, socio-economic development and diversification, etc. Natural diamonds are the ultimate symbols of love and good work in the jewellery business improves the lives of all stakeholders. Jewellers for Hope is one such initiative and we need to extend magnanimous generosity to make a positive difference to make an amazing contribution.”

Equally impressive was Rowley’s generous contribution during the sit-down charity dinner. Rowley raised an impressive sum, which he will be donating to the charity of his choice. Somasundaram PR, Regional CEO, World Gold Council, India, said, “Just as there is an increasing focus on responsibly sourced and sustainably produced products in the gem and jewellery business, there is enhanced focus on our industry constantly giving something back to society. Jewellers for Hope is part of the industry’s CSR mandate within the broader ambit of globally accepted ESG principles. We have been working closely with GJEPC on various business initiatives and Jewellers for Hope is as strategic and significant as any of them. Women are the key target customer groups for our industry and it is good to note that this year the Jewellers for Hope charity recipient is Relief Projects India, which is focussed on women-child issues.”

Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director, GIA India, said, “I thank GJEPC and the collective strength and wisdom of India’s gem & jewellery industry to give back to society. The Jewellers for Hope is a distinguished gathering of entrepreneurs, exporters and companies, which make a positive difference. Tonight we come together to transcend boundaries to protect the rights of women; to promote the girl child’s education and overall strive for gender equality. We, at GIA, have been making a difference in the lives of women to support them with knowledge, which helps to estimate the correct value of diamonds. GIA’s association with GJEPC dates back to many years and through the Jewellers for Hope initiative we started an initiative last year to educate female students and will be extending this chapter to Mumbai and Surat. The efforts of GJEPC, Jewellers for Hope and GIA may be drops in the ocean but to quote a famous poet, the ocean would miss something if these drops were not there!”

One of the evening’s highlights was the spirited bidding round for an exclusive dinner with industry stalwarts Mr. C K Venkataraman, Managing Director at Titan Company, and Mr. Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Diamond Trading, De Beers Group. The auction, led by Mr. C K Venkataraman, raised a staggering amount, dedicated to supporting the Nanhi Kali initiative. This noble cause aims to provide education and empowerment to underprivileged girls across the nation.

GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Launched in 2014, Jewellers for Hope is the altruistic initiative of the GJEPC, aimed at mobilizing the entire gem and jewellery industry – from manufacturers and traders to miners and retailers – to raise funds for commendable NGOs in various fields, including education, health, tribal welfare, women’s empowerment, and more.

Over the years, the industry’s generous contributions to ‘Jewellers for Hope’ have left an indelible impact, having contributed crores to 13 NGOs, uplifting countless lives. In previous editions, ‘Jewellers for Hope’ has extended support to various NGOs, including Make A Wish Foundation, Swades Foundation, Friends of Tribal Society, Voluntary Action Association (run by Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi), Giants Welfare International (run by Social Activist Shaina NC), Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayta Samiti or Jaipur Foot, Army Welfare, Tribal Integrated Development and Education Trust (TIDE), and Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC) and Live Love, Laugh Foundation.