Shri. K. K. Sharma

Unless we sow, we can't reap. Rewards also come when we invest. So is the IGS, that emerged from the IGC held in 1999 under the Presidentship of Mrs. Indira Vikamsey. Many of us know that behind the IGS outfit, there are two key figures who have made it a great annual event. They are none other than the founder members of FIG, Mr. K. T. Ramchandran & Dr. Jayshree Panjikar. Let us applaud them warmly. They must have faced a great deal of hardship, in overcoming the hassles in the initial phase.

Thank God, they and other founder members of Forum of Indian Gemmologists (FIG) were ultimately blessed with tremendous energy in turning the thoughts into a reality.

This is the 5th. of its kind being held this time at Bhubaneshwar, Orissa under the convenership of Mr. G. B. Pradhan, Deputy General Manager, Orissa mining Corporation (OMC). Let us congratulate Mr. Pradhan for his leadership, as also Mrs. Nirupama Das & Mr. P. K. Bose. FIC under the guidelines of its President Mrs. Indira Vikamsey and the office bearers is becoming stronger and more versatile, year by year. Others in line are many, as experts in the field and from the institutions who could be also accredited with a reward of appreciation on account of their direct or indirect contribution.

Although, study of Gemmology as a whole, is the main focus in such conclaves, theme behind this is to share the knowledge & Expertise, we as Gemmologists have in the field of Gem & Jewellery and look at the India's potential, through interactions & presentations we make during the seminar at IGS. As you are aware, since time immemorial, India has been synominous with the Gem & Jewellery. Today, India is the largest manufacturer and exporters of Polished diamonds, the fastest growing jewellelry exporter and largest gold consumer. It is believed that 9 out of 10 diamonds set in Jewellery worldwide come from India. No other export sector of the country has such significant share in the world market.

The colour gem stone industry centered in and around Jaipur also makes India proud as 09 out of 10 Emerald in the world are again supposed to be Polished in India. Recently, Tanzanite has swept the jewellery fashion world and it is again said that 07 out of 10 Tanzanite are polished in and exported from India. As such, the diamond and gemstone studded jewellery industry in India is growing very fast. The tiny cottage activities of Yesteryears has grown into a mammoth industry today. In fact, 1/5th of the foreign exchange earning come from the exports of Gem & Jewellery. India has been well known as a producer of fine ornaments of many styles, shapes and in different material to suit all the tastes and pocket. The gold and silver jewellery are stored in India to serve dual purpose of adornment as well as investment. India is known to be the largest consumer of the gold in the world market, over 800 tonnes.

Can the Gemmologists in the given situation remain quiet and simply let go without any introspection ? No, I think realizing it is very important. The urge to be with FIG should grow stronger & stronger, for we gather a sea of knowledge on gem stones, gemmology & trends in jewellery. In the process, we also start thinking of producing something productive, which in turn benefits the self, society & the nation of the whole.

I think, the Gemmologists produced by the institutions like Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) & Gemmological Institute of India (GII)and also others have significant roles to play in the time to come, which could be progressively achieved through such a platform, being provided by the FIG.

In future, IGS will not only cover topic on gemstone & diamonds but also jewellery industry vigorously, rather very aggressively, because ultimately, the end result lies there. FIG would become really an instrument to strive to educate the industry and public about the beauty, science and dynamics of Gems & Jewellelry. The other and one of the most significant area of coverage, could be the talks on Pearls & Pearls set Jewellelry. An annual event of FIG in the form of IGS is day-by-day strengthening, as we have been seeing at the last four conclaves organized at Hyderabad, Simla, Ooty and Udaipur. I may urge upon the FIG to undertake, in addition to such seminars, also some appraisal Programmes of short Duration all over the country, with the assistance of its experts and instructors engaged in the various institutions attached with it so that benefit & opportunity goes to the last extent. Recently, I had an opportunity to attend a Jewellelry & Watch fair at Hong Kong from 17-21 September 2003, where I saw that China was far ahead in the field of gems & Jewellery, more so in the area of pearls. Jewellery manufacturing industry in China is growing by leaps & Bounds, all equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Well, ladies & gentlemen, FIG is like a lamp emitting immense light we have to catch on. We, as its alumni have much more to contribute to it to make it still vibrant. We, at the institutional ends, are always for the Gemmologists, in carrying forward their ideas to a place like this. Let us pledge that our unrelenting support will continue forever.

The passion for IGS is same as we have for collecting Colourstones, antiques, books, stamps etc. Dr. Edward Gubelin, who has spent most of his life studying and writing about gem and their conclusions, inspires us more. If we have to follow his footsteps, the passion should increase to learn more about gemstone, mineralogy and geology formations, which through such IGS could easily be fetched.

Let me now take an opportunity to apprise you of India Diamond Institute (IDI) based in Surat, a Diamond city. It offers full time, part time and correspondence courses, related to Diamond, coloured stone & jewellery in three languages English, Hindi & Gujarati with hostel facilities (separately for girls & boys) and a special package for overseas students. It is an accredited training Centre for a number of international institutions and its recently launched Sardar Vallanhbhai Patel Centre of Jewellery Design and manufacture (SVJDM) offers many advanced courses in Jewellery Designing & Manufacturing, including a 3 years Higher Diploma programme at 10+2 entry level. SVJDM has been set up in association with Government of India, Government of Gujarat & The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). It has one of the most advanced Gem Testing Laboratories (IDI-GTL) to undertake testing & certification of gemstones including diamonds. There is also a Metal Analysis Lab to issue gold purity certificates. Besides, diamonds & gemstones' certifications, IDI also certifies Jewellery - both plain and studded. It is also on the verge of launching a Hallmarking Centre on its campus, certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Again, for the benefit of gemologists & jewelers, it also undertakes Outbound Training Programmes (OTP), all over the country, in the area of diamond grading and jewellery manufacturing techniques / appraising.

IDI is very happy to be associated with FIG and with dynamism of Shri K. T. Ramchandran, Dr. Panjikar, Mrs. Indira Vikamsey and all the office bearers of the forum, at its helms of affair, we are sure, FIG will definitely make a head way for all of us, to fulfill our urge. Since the FIG is the apex body of qualified gemologists in India and also comprises of the most known and qualified gemologists. I take this opportunity to propose to the FIG to set certain norms and guidelines for teaching of gemology and testing and certification of gemstones in India. It is very gratifying to note that many of the students from major institutes like IDI, GII, etc. have started their own laboratory services and teaching gemology in the various parts of India.

If these laboratories are given an accreditation by a national and independent organization like FIG, it would be beneficial for them as well as for the general public. Honouring the leading gemologists of the country with "Gemmology Award" could be an another service, FIG may like to proudly extend.

With this hope, allow me to share with you, the happiness and drive we are going to draw from this IGS-5 & let the passion for IGS even be more intense, year-by-year, with your active participation every year. Let us all join together, in congratulating FIG & its committee members and the convener of IGS-5 Mr. G. B. Pradhan for making it a great show.