Annual Convocation 2006

The Annual Convocation and Graduation ceremony of the Gemmological Institute of India was held on Saturday the 2nd December 2006 at the Convention Hall, Y.B. Chavan Center, Mumbai 400 020. Shri Kirtilal K. Doshi, Chairman presided over the function. Shri Sanjay Kothari, Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council was the Chief Guest. Shri Navinchandra Mehta of M/s. D. Navinchandra & Co. and Shri Dilip V. Lakhi of Lakhi Group of companies were the Guests of Honour.

Shri Kirtilal K. Doshi, in his welcome address stressed the need for creating scientific base for the Indian Gem & Jewellery industry. He stated that India has great potential for manifold growth of the industry and we have the capacity to attain the number one position in the world. He therefore advised the young students who were graduating from the Institute to work hard in promoting the industry and also to carry on a mission to propagate the study of gemstones in the country.

Shri Sanjay Kothari, Chief Guest in his address appraised the developmental activities undertaken by the GII for the benefit of the Indian industry. He stated that it was his ambition to give a strong scientific base to the industry. He further stressed that on a strong scientific and technical infrastructure the Indian industry could grow much stronger. He congratulated Shri Kirtibhai Doshi for his young, energetic and enthusiastic approach at the age of 85 and guiding GII to further heights. A standing ovation from the gathering further cheered Shri Doshi. Shri Sanjaybhai Kothari stated that the National Research Center of GII which is a project of the Council, would be a world

class research center catering to the needs of the Indian industry for ever.

Shri Kothari is a very dynamic personality and in fact it is in his tenure as the Chairman of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, 3 years back, the idea of establishing the National Research Center came up and he is one of the chief architects of the project. Shri Kothari reiterated the need for proper laboratory services with a view to enforce consumer confidence in the Gem & Jewellery and he whole heartedly welcomed the young generation of students coming out of the GII to the industry. He assured them all co-operation and support from the Industry.

Shri Vasantbhai Mehta, Vice Chairman of the Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council and Trustee of the Gemmological Institute of India in his address stressed the need for collective efforts to build a strong base for the Indian industry. He has extended a warm and hearty congratulation and best wishes to all the students who have successfully completed their courses at GII. He appraised the gathering the services rendered by the Council for the betterment of the industry.

Shri Vasantbhai is an ardent believer in promoting and imparting modern education amongst the

younger generation. He is a true businessman bestowed with high ethos of education.

Shri Dilipbhai Lakhi, Guest of Honour on the occasion, while addressing the gathering pointed out that there is no substitution for dedication, hard work and honesty. He further stated that he has set certain goals in his life and his company is also set to achieve certain targets and with absolute confidence and positive approach they work for it; and ultimately the result is always in their favour. Work for a higher goal and growth with honesty you should be able to achieve the result, this is the message Shri Lakhi had to give to the students. He also assured his fullest support and co-operation to any of the activities the GII wanted to take up for the promotion and development of

the industry. He also stated that he is closely connected to GII because many of his family members had graduated from GII and he is proud of GII for its services to the industry.

Shri Navinbhai Mehta, the other Guest of Honour on the occasion was fully in agreement with Shri Kirtibhai and others in building up a strong scientific educational base for the gem & jewellery industry in India . Shri Navinbhai is one person who has been associated with many of the educational institutions and social organizations in the country and he really loves to support any social cause for the betterment of the society in general.

Shri Mehta assured Shri Kirtibhai that he is willing to extend his fullest co-operation and support to

GII for taking up any project which is beneficial for the growth of the Gem & Jewellery industry in India .

Shri Arvindbhai Parekh in his vote of thanks referred the fact that GII is truly a representative body of the industry as it has been sponsored by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Diamond Exporters’ Association Limited, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Gem & Jewellery Exporters’ Association. He congratulated the students and expressed his gratitude to all of them for spreading the knowledge of gemology throughout the country as messengers of gemology. He has also placed on record his gratitude to all the trustees on the board for their support and co-operation. He also appreciated the dedicated work

done by the staff in GII and also the press for their continued support to the GII activities.

Thereafter the certificates were given away to the successful students by the dignitaries on the dais.