Pankaj Parekh (vice chairman, GJEPC), Vipul Shah (chairman, GJEPC), Boman Irani, Debbie Azar, Gita Joshi, Uday Joshi, Deepak Bhatia (CEO, Make-a-Wish India)

India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) held its annual Jewellers for Hope charity dinner on July 18 and celebrated the organization’s largest donation ever to Make-a-Wish India.

Attendants of the dinner, which was hosted in association with Gemological Science International (GSI), included 33 manufacturers and more than 260 retailers.

The event raised 10 million Indian rupees, which is approximately $165,000. 

“We are delighted to host this prestigious charity dinner,” said Vipul Shah, chairman of GJEPC, in a statement. “In doing so we will, hopefully, raise awareness with our first of many charity events … We hope to raise as much for worthwhile causes and also create awareness about the gems and jewelery 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.” 

Mark Gershburg, CEO of GSI, added: “We have a long tradition of social responsibility, reflected by [our] 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.” 

The GJEPC is an all-India organization for the jewelry industry with 5,300 members. GSI is one of the largest (and youngest—it was founded in 2005) gemological laboratories in the world. 

JCK