Mumbai: Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organized “Jewellers for Hope” charity dinner in association with GSI, yesterday in Mumbai. Leading bollywood celebrities Kajol, Boman Irani, Siddharth Roy Kapur graced the evening hosted by Raageshwari Sachdeva-Badola in the presence of the whose-who of the gems & jewellery trade.
The “Jewellers for Hope” annual charity dinner is the first edition of GJEPC’s commitment towards the betterment of the society. Through this initiative, GJEPC would like to spread the message that for businesses to be successful, society around it cannot fail. An industry built on trust, an industry involved in numerous social activities, now comes together to create awareness about the Gem & Jewellery’s philanthropic initiatives in India.
33 leading manufacturers and 260+ leading Indian retailers present at the gala dinner, pledged their support to the society for commitment to good causes, besides talking business.
Some of the retailers present at the charity dinner were TBZ, Titan, PC Chandra, Reliance, Joyalukkas, Orra, PN Gadgill, Senco, GRT, PGI, ForeverMark, GIA, Anmol, Hazoorilal and Khurana to name a few.
Through the generosity of the manufacturers, GJEPC raised INR One Crore. Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Pankaj Parekh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Colin Shah, Convener – Jewellery Panel; Mr. Nirav Bhansali, Convener – Domestic Exhibitions presented the cheque to Make-A-Wish India – Mr. Uday Joshi and Mr. Maneck Davar.
On this occasion, Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said that, “We are delighted to host this prestigious charity dinner. In doing, so we will, hopefully, raise awareness, with our first of many charity events and we hope to raise as much for worthwhile causes and also create awareness about the Gems and Jewellery industry’s philanthropic initiatives. This dinner provides an opportunity for all of us to talk business and also work together for the enhancement of the society.”
He added that, “I am confident that the support for this effort will grow in the years to come and this annual CSR will enrich the society.
Mr. Colin Shah, Convener – Jewellery Panel, GJEPC said that, “GJEPC have put together an outstanding evening. We are very grateful that the funds raised were donated to the foundation to enable us to continue the good work. At GJEPC, we know that most of our trade members are extremely generous and have been associated with various CSR activities at an individual and at a company level. Although the reasons and recipients of their generosity may vary we applaud the ‘act of giving’. Our association with Make-A-Wish is a step in that direction, the objective is to brighten a few moments in the life of incurably ill children in India.”
Mr. Mark Gershburg, CEO, GSI said that, “We have a long tradition of social responsibility and is reflected by its long-term commitment with “Jewelers For Children”. We believe that we require little time and effort to make a big difference. There is a need for Corporates, individual donors and all like-minded people to come forth with generous contributions for such noble causes and I am grateful and glad to be a part of this.”
