Shri Menon – Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India, Shri R. M. Premkumar – Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Dr. M.S. Rao – Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India, today’s Guests of Honour Smt. Nirupa Bhatt and Shri Rajiv Bhandari and my colleagues on dais.

It’s a pleasure to be here this morning. It’s a great day. It’s a day which we will cherish for a long time. It is a day when the dream of all of us is coming true. Seeing the day light of the National Research Centre. We have been deliberating on this, with the advent of simulants and synthetic diamonds, with people improving the colour for saleability of polished diamonds by heat treatments.

Not everyone declares the facts of their sales in the invoices and the magnitude of the problem only increases, if needed steps are not taken at once. Sir this is an effort in the right direction, which we want to take to the length and breadth of this country. We want to enhance the consumers’ confidence in the industry. We firmly believe if that is not achieved, we the industry cannot survive and not progress.

Sir, there are issues concerning this industry which we need to address at the state level like Octroi, VAT, mobility of goods, etc. These are small issues and I am sure that we will be able to address them as quickly as possible.

The Gemmological Institute of India was set up in the year 1971. It has been registered as a R&D laboratory but has been able to pursue only Basic Research. Research in advanced areas of science and technology call for huge funds and a number of sophisticated equipments. It is very heartening that major trade and industry bodies like the Bharat Diamond Bourse, Diamond Exporters’ Association Limited and the Gem and Jewellery Exporters’ Association have joined hands in promoting this National Research Centre. The Gemmological Institute of India has signed an MoU with the Council to support the National Research Centre, which is the need of the hour for this industry.

Sir, the funds for this Centre would come from the industry and financial support of the Government is desired, as this is the basic infrastructure required today for this Industry. I have no doubt that this National Research Centre will strengthen the Indian Gem & Jewellery industry and make it capable to meet the challenges ahead.

I also take this opportunity to congratulate the students who have successfully passed out their examinations in the year. Congratulations to all of you.