Respected Chairman, distinguished dignitaries on the dais, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, let me extend a warm greeting from the Gemmologists of India to all of you.

It is a matter of great pleasure and honor for me to be invited by my Alma Mater to present the diploma certificates to the qualified students of Gem A.

The certificates that are being awarded today are not only the highest recognition of your gemological knowledge, but it is a symbol of prestige, honor and fame.

There may be hundreds of institutions in the world awarding gemology diplomas and certificates to their students. But the certificate that you are getting today, has the highest esteem and thereby conferring you as an authority on gemstones.

With this diploma you are joining with and becoming a part of Gem-A, the pioneer institution in the field of gemology in the world.

While tracing back the history of the development of Gemmology in the world, we the fellows of Gem-A are proud to note that it was all started way back in the year 1908 when at an annual conference on the National Association of Goldsmith (known as NAG), it was resolved that teaching of Gemmology should be organized and examinations should be arranged; and thus the first organized course in the field of Gemmology started. Mr. Barnett who had put forward the resolution could not have foreseen the outcome, which has resulted in hundreds of institutions in the world teaching Gemmology. Many of you may not knowing the fact that Mr. Robert Shipley who having obtained his Fellowship Diploma in London in the year 1929 started the Gemological Institute of America in the year 1931.

Friends, in another two years time, the Gem - A should be celebrating its 100 th anniversary of the organized Gemmological studies in London . On that occasion, I propose to the management of Gem-A, to invite all Diploma holders of Gem-A from all parts of the world to participate in the celebrations. Celebrations could be spread out in all parts of the world and at the end of the year a world meet of gemologists could be organized in London .

I also would like to share a few thoughts with those who are getting the diplomas today.

At the outset, those who are getting the diplomas must remember that you are now becoming a qualified gemologist to issue a gemstone report or certificate. This means your signature as a gemmologist may be worth millions of dollars. Therefore you must be very careful and your judgment must be very accurate.

You are like a doctor practicing in medicine. The only difference is that, if the doctor makes a mistake in diagnosing the decease and treating the patient, the patient may die. Whereas in the case of a gemologist who makes a mistake in identification and wrongly certifies a gemstone the gemologist may die. Therefore you must be thorough with the subject before venturing into the laboratory services.

Another important aspect is that you must be true to yourself. Never, involve in a wrong certification, if you are not sure of the identification, tell your client to go to any other laboratory where better equipments and facilities are available. Do not get yourself influenced by any body, when it comes to identification, grading and certification.

My advise to you is be honest to the core, dedicated to the subject, remain as a student always, keep an open mind to understand and adopt newer developments. Integrity and honesty are the key words for your success as a Gemmologist. Remember that you must be independent and impartial.

Always keep yourself abreast with the latest developments in the field of gemology by attending seminars, symposia, reading latest updates in the gemological magazines published around the world and also the latest books.

Yet another responsibility I would like you to carry on your shoulder is a mission to spread the knowledge of gemology. Knowledge is one thing that will go on increasing if you share it with others. Therefore do not keep the knowledge of gemology as a secret or close to your chest. Give it out to the world. Insist upon to those who are interested in the study of gemology to take up FGA examination. Propagation and promotion of Gemmology should be one of the missions in your life.

Many of the gemstone markets around the world especially in the developing countries are very conservative and show very little interest in learning about gemstones. You must try and make those people understand the need for and the importance of study of gemology in their business. Gemmology is a language. It is a mean of communication. Therefore you must master it.

With these words I take this opportunity to congratulate those students who are getting their diplomas for their success and a great achievement in life.

I wish you all the best all throughout the life.

Thank you all very much.