Indian companies bask in the limelight at 2014 JNA Awards

JNA has named Anoop Mehta, president of the Bharat Diamond Bourse, as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award – the most prestigious honour conferred by JNA – while five of India’s major diamond manufacturers and a rising star on the country’s jewellery manufacturing scene have been shortlisted as JNA Awards Honourees.

These diamond manufacturers are Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd, Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd, J.B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd, Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd and Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd.

Shreyansh Kapoor, vice president of India-based Kashi Jewellers, has been named one of the Honourees in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category.

Organised by JNA, the JNA Awards is considered one of the most celebrated initiatives of its kind in the global jewellery industry. It honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the jewellery trade with an Asian focus.

The Awards’ third edition drew an impressive number of entries this year.

“The calibre of entries we received this year is remarkable,” said Letitia Chow, JNA Founder and Chair of the JNA Awards 2014 judging panel. “India has a significant role in the global diamond trade, and this is reflected in the top Honourees for a number of categories. We congratulate all six Honourees and look forward to seeing them in the awards ceremony and gala dinner on September 16.”

Shri Siddharth, IAS, Director General of the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals of the Government of India, commended the Honourees.

“It is indeed a moment of great pride that India’s prowess in the gems and jewellery sector is being recognised and celebrated by the international business community at such a prestigious platform,” said Siddharth. “The efforts of these individuals and organisations shall not only serve as an example to all, but will also strengthen India’s position as a leading global player in the industry.

“I send my good wishes to the awardees and hope that they will continue to lead the industry by setting more milestones in the gemstone and jewellery sector,” Siddharth added.

The six companies, for their part, said they are grateful to be named as JNA Awards Honourees.

“Being nominated in three categories of the JNA Awards is highly prestigious, and we are honoured to be a part of it. It truly motivates us to work harder and achieve more,” Hari Krishna Group Director Ghanshyam Dholakia said. The company is shortlisted in the following categories: Employer of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing, and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India.

Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd, also an Honouree in the Employer of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing, and Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India categories, traces its achievements to dedication and hard work.

“Our customers trust us because we do our utmost to meet and exceed their expectations. We embrace new technologies and we are committed to protecting the integrity of the natural diamond value chain. All this has helped raise the profile of India’s diamond and jewellery sector globally,” Kiran Gems Director Dinesh Lakhani said.

For Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd, an Honouree for the Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing and Sustainability Initiative of the Year, the human side of the business is just as important as financial profit.

“This industry is all about talent whether at the management level or at the artisanal level. Our core strength is our people and the rest is secondary. At SRK, our philosophy on human resource development is simple: listen to the staff, empower them and appraise them,” company director Shreyans Dholakia said.

J.B And Brothers Pvt Ltd, Honouree in the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India category, attributed the company’s success to three fundamental pillars: people, manufacturing expertise and technology.

“J.B. And Brothers has contributed significantly not only to the diamond trade but also to the Indian economy. By producing high-value products, we have created jobs and provided skills development for the people of India. We have perfected the jewellery manufacturing process that almost nullify rejects and re-works, elevating the Indian manufacturers’ reputation for delivering consistent premium products in the global market,” said Jitubhai Shah, founder of J.B. And Brothers.

For Dharmanandan Diamonds (DDPL), an Honouree for the Sustainable Initiative of the Year Award, maintaining a company’s sustainability should be a top priority.

“Making profit is one thing and doing business is another, which includes more than products, sales and profits. At DDPL, we adopt CSR as a core part of our business and it is by choice rather than by obligation. We do business in such a way that we leave footprints that can serve as a guide for others,” company managing director Hitesh Patel said.

Shreyansh Kapoor of Kashi Jewellers, for his part, is a nominee under the Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) category. Kapoor said he considers the JNA Awards the Oscars of the jewellery industry. “I am extremely proud to be an Honouree under the ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ category of JNA Awards 2014. This will serve as an inspiration for me to lead Kashi Jewellers into the future,” he said.

Mehta, recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, said he is honoured to be recognised for his work and passion. “This award is significant because it recognises the efforts of all the people who have made the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) a reality. I would like to especially thank the past and present members of the BDB committee. Without their support, dedication and contribution, the BDB would not have been operational and on par with international standards.”

For more information on the event, please contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852 2516-1683
[email protected]