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GJEPC the apex body of India’s gems and jewellery industry, launched ‘UNNATI – Powering Women in Gems & Jewellery’, a national mission to drive women in the sector learn, lead and grow as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders. Beginning with its Gujarat chapter at Sardar Patel Smruti Bhavan, Surat, UNNATI seeks to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in the industry, in step with the national vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The launch was graced by Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, along with senior representatives of GJEPC and industry stakeholders, including Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Jayantibhai Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat, GJEPC; Shri Anil Virani, Convener, Audit & Finance, GJEPC; Shri Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions, Marketing & Business Development, GJEPC; Shri Sevantibhai Shah Chairman, Founder- Venus Jewel; Shri Mukesh Patel, Chairman, Greenlab Diamonds; Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC; and Smt. Forum Marfatia, President, WICCI Surat Chapter. Their presence added significance to the launch and reflected the strong industry-wide support for UNNATI and its vision of creating greater opportunities for women. The programme saw participation from more than 1,100 women from across the gem and jewellery industry in Gujarat, including homemakers, students and other aspiring professionals. In its first phase, UNNATI aims to register at least 200 women for skilling across a range of courses, opening pathways to careers and entrepreneurship in the sector. India’s journey to a developed nation will be carried forward by its women, and nowhere is this more visible than in gems and jewellery. From the workshop floor to the boardroom, women are already the backbone of the sector, as artisans, designers, professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders. UNNATI exists to make sure that contribution is recognised, supported and given every opportunity to grow. Conceived not as a welfare scheme but as an investment in the industry’s future strength and competitiveness, UNNATI supports GJEPC’s ambition of reaching US$100 billion in exports by 2040 by ensuring that this future is built on the talent, aspirations and leadership of women across the value chain. When women learn, lead and grow, the industry grows with them, and so does Brand India. Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, said, “Unnati is an important initiative that is creating meaningful opportunities for women in the gem and jewellery industry. Today, more than 1,000 women are being connected with employment and business opportunities, but the potential is far greater. We should look at taking these opportunities beyond Surat and into Gujarat’s rural and tribal areas, where greater participation by women can create a strong social and economic impact for their families and communities. I urge GJEPC to develop more initiatives that bring women into the industry and expand their participation across Gujarat. Unnati should not stop at 1,000 or 2,000 women. We should work towards reaching 10,000 women in the coming year. The women who have achieved success should also become role models for others, helping more women gain confidence, build careers and realise their ambitions.” Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, said, “UNNATI gives us the platform and the direction, but the real work begins with us. We must take this opportunity and create our own growth. I encourage young entrepreneurs, especially women, to have the confidence to step forward, take risks and build something of their own. There is tremendous opportunity in the gem and jewellery sector, and we need more women not only to participate in the industry, but to lead businesses, create employment and contribute to society. That is the kind of leadership and inclusive growth we need for the future.” Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said: “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 places Nari Shakti at the heart of India’s journey towards a stronger and more developed nation. As an industry, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal of achieving US$100 billion in gem and jewellery exports by 2040, and we cannot achieve this without fully harnessing the talent, skills and leadership of women. UNNATI is a step in that direction—to move women from participation to leadership, from skills to careers, and from employment to entrepreneurship. When women grow, our industry grows; and when women lead, they can accelerate our collective journey towards US$100 billion by 2040.” On the occasion, GJEPC also announced a special initiative for women Ratnakalars under its Ratnakalar Parichay Card initiative. In the first phase, 1,000 women Ratnakalars will be provided Parichay Cards along with free medical insurance coverage of up to ₹1 lakh, enabling them to access treatment at leading hospitals. The initiative is aimed at recognising the contribution of women artisans and providing them with greater health security. GJEPC urged eligible Ratnakalar sisters to come forward, register for the Parichay Card and avail themselves of the benefits. Shri Jayantibhai Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat, GJEPC, said “Gujarat has been at the heart of India’s gem and jewellery story, and the strength of this industry has always come from its people, their skills and their enterprise. Today, women are contributing across the entire value chain—from manufacturing and design to technology, management, business and entrepreneurship. Through UNNATI, our aim is to create stronger pathways for women to learn, upskill, connect with the industry and build successful careers. This is not just about bringing more women into the industry; it is about creating opportunities for them to grow, take leadership and shape the industry’s future. We want the Surat chapter to be the beginning of a much larger movement that reaches women across every major gem and jewellery cluster in India.” Shri Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC said, “UNNATI is about turning intent into opportunity—connecting women with the skills, networks and pathways they need to build their futures in our industry. What we have begun today in Gujarat is a platform we hope will grow across India, creating a stronger and more inclusive gems and jewellery ecosystem. When women progress, the industry moves forward with them.” UNNATI rests on five pillars that take women from aspiration to achievement: Inspire & Engage: recognising and celebrating women’s contribution to the industry Develop & Empower: leadership, skills training and lifelong learning Connect & Collaborate: mentors, peer networks and a community to grow with Enable & Accelerate: support for business, access to funding and market opportunities Transform & Lead: safer, more progressive workplaces for every woman in the industry The programme showcased training opportunities across specialised job roles: Diamond Assorter, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Planner, Jewellery Designer – Hand Sketch, Jewellery Designer – CAD, Wax Setter, Filer and Assembler, Metal Setter, Jewellery Polisher and Cleaner, and Jewellery Retail Sales Associate. The inaugural UNNATI Awards recognised companies and women contributing to a more inclusive and progressive gems and jewellery industry. The UNNATI Company Awards recognised excellence across five categories: Women Workforce Champion – House of Shah; Women Career Advancement – DEREWALA INDUSTRIES LTD; Women Skilling & Development – Greenlab Diamonds LLP; Women Work-Life Support – DESIGN CREATION; and Women Leadership Excellence – House of Shah. The UNNATI Woman Achiever Awards recognised Nisha Jariwala for Woman Entrepreneur & Business Leader; Priti Bhatia and Neha Kochar for Woman Jewellery Designer; Rajvi Kotak and Anshu Singhania for Woman Retail Leader; Sorathiya Kajal Ramnikbhai for Woman Artisan Excellence; Misbah Mansuri for Woman Leader in Marketing & Business Development; and Tanvi Viradiya for Emerging Woman Leader of the Year. Additionally, in a special moment, women from 50 companies, nominated by their employers for their skills in jewellery design and other areas of the industry, were presented with certificates of recognition, acknowledging their contribution and potential. UNNATI is organised by GJEPC with the support of its Partners on Board: Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI), Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association (SJMA), the Lab Grown Diamond Association, the Surat Jewellery Association and the Surat Diamond Industry; Co-Partners AF Ferrari and Shivam Jewels; and Supported By Partners Nityas Gems & Jewellery, Sky Gold, PGI, Golden Carat, Beau Jewels and Anand Shah. The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) is the Knowledge Partner. The pilot in Surat, Gujarat is only the beginning. GJEPC’s vision is to take UNNATI to major gem and jewellery clusters across India and build a wider ecosystem that supports women in realising their potential. Women interested in training programmes and the UNNATI mentor network can register at unnati.gjepc.org.

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