Presidential Address by  Shri. Kiritlal K. Doshi, Chairman, Gemmological Institute of India

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a great privilege and immense pleasure for me to address this Annual Convocation of the Gemmological Institute of India at a time when the Institute has crossed a very important milestone in its dedicated journey in the service of the Gem Industry.

First of all I extend a very warm welcome and thanks to Shri Bakulbhai Mehta for accepting our invitation to be our Chief Guest.

I take this opportunity to congratulate all the students who have successfully completed the courses at the Institute. I wish them all success throughout their life.

This historical convocation function of the Gemmological Institute of India will be long remembered and cherished in the history of the Institute.

Friends, today on this occasion, I am happy to announce the collaboration of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Diamond Exporters' Association Limited and Bharat Diamond Bourse with the Gemmological Institute of India for furthering the Research & Development activities. An Memorandum Of Understanding to this effect was signed on Saturday the 21st Day of August 2004.

With the conglomeration of the Gemmological Institute of India with the apex organization like the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and other important trade Institutions in the country, the Institute has become a national body, truly representing the Indian gem and jewellery industry.

The Gemmological Institute of India was born in 1971 and it has grown in the cradle of the gem trade in Zaveri Bazar. When the Institute was founded, it was our dream that one day the GII will grow as a representative body of the entire Industry in India. Our mission was to create one of the finest service organizations, dedicated to the development of the gem industry in India.

True to our vision, the institution has grown day-by-day and step-by-step. We have never had to look back. The Institute started receiving accreditations and acclamations for its various achievements. The support and confidence of the industry which the institute is enjoying today is the result of our dedication and sincerity .

The new millennium has seen a shift in the growth and development of the Indian gem Industry. Diamonds, a hundred percent export oriented product from India, has made an inroad into the domestic market as well. Diamond segment is gearing up for exponential growth. The trend for mass consumption of diamond jewellery in India has already set in. There are many branded jewellery items seen in the Indian market. In another 10 years, I am sure, India will be one of the major consumers of diamond jewellery in the world. Similarly, the exports of studded jewellery from India has shown a quantum jump in its growth in the recent years.

All these factors have necessitated the quality assessment and certification of diamonds in India. Simultaneously, the diamond industry in the world is also undergoing a transformation.
Synthetic diamonds and HPHT treated diamonds have created apprehensions amongst the diamantaires around the world. To combat this threat, the gemmological laboratories around the globe have been equipped with high-tech instruments. Continuous studies on various properties of diamonds and gemstones have been carried out by GIA in USA, HRD in Antwerp, SSEF in Switzerland, GA Of GB in U.K., CISGEM in Italy and Gem Lab in Japan.

Regrettably, in India, we do not have any exclusive research facility established to carry out advanced research studies on diamonds and gemstones. It is therefore the need of the hour that a most modern, sophisticated and state-of- the-art research and development laboratory be set-up at the national level. This laboratory should be able to find out solutions for the problems faced by the industry in identification of treatments, colouration, origin etc.

The Industry in India has, therefore, decided to come together to support the Gemmological Institute of India to carry out the necessary research studies with a view to protect the Indian gem Industry.

Gemmological Institute of India is already a Research & Development Laboratory in the country approved by the Government of India. The Institute possesses basic infrastructural facilities to take up the challenge faced by the industry. GII will be working as a nodal point or central agency for the research studies in India. The research and development is the lifeline of any industry and therefore the industry will now have to concentrate on the changing scenario.

R & D activities require huge investment. I am delighted to announce that our collaborators have agreed to arrange the required finance for this purpose.

Once the R & D work starts yielding results, we will be able to share the findings with the industry and other institutions in the country by supporting their day-to-day working, testing and certification activities.

With this amalgamation of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the Bharat Diamond Bourse and the Diamond Exporters' Association Limited, our dream of a National Center for Research and Development in the field of Gem & Jewellery in India is now realized.

I would like to specially thank and place on record the services, efforts and interest the previous Chairman of the Council Shri Sanjaybhai Kothari has taken in bringing the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council to amalgamate with the institute. I would also like to thank Shri Anoopbhai Mehta , President, Bharat Diamond Bourse in bringing the Bourse to help the institute. Similarly, I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation for the efforts and contributions made by Shri Arvindbhai Parikh President of Diamond Exporters' Association Ltd. to support the Gemmological Institute of India in its expansion programme.

I am also grateful to my Trust Board for carrying out the necessary changes in the constitution of the Trust and inducting Trustees from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the Gem & Jewellery Exporters' Association, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Diamond Exporters' Association Limited on the Trust Board.

Finally, I also place on record my gratitude to my colleagues on the Trust Board, to Shri Ramchandran, Dr. Jayshree and all other members of the staff of GII for their dedication and hard work in bringing the institute to this height.

Thank you, Jai Hind.