During the second edition of India International Jewellery Week (IIJW), July 31–August 4 at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, a special fashion
event helped raise money for Beti, a charity that fights female foeticide. As
part of the festivities, celebrities from Indian film and television wore
couture from Pria Kataria Puri and Neeta Lulla, and jewelry from Giantti &
Nizam to a runway show dubbed “Jewelsouk presents Gitanjali-Beti,” sponsored by Gitanjali.

Beti is a five-year-old awareness campaign spearheaded by Anu Ranjan, co-publisher of GR8! and president of the
Indian Television Academy, against female
foeticide. Ranjan told show attendees that it was her group’s
“endeavour to save the girl child, to raise awareness about issues
such as female foeticide and female infanticide, which unfortunately are so
prevalent in our country, and to request your particular focus on the uncalled
for and rampant killing of these children, which is being indulged in all
across the country.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mehul Choksi, head of Gitanjali
Group said, “The fashion and jewelry worlds that adorn women and enhance
their beauty, also have a deeper commitment to society, particularly causes
related to women. So we were happy to put together ‘Jewelsouk presents
Gitanjali Beti’ to extend our support to this very significant campaign against
female foeticide.”

Conceptualized last year by the Gem & Jewellery Export
Promotion Council (GJEPC), a 15-year-old government body comprising 5,500
industry members, IIJW took place this year with 32 of India’s leading jewelry
design houses displaying their masterpieces to a niche audience of jewelry
enthusiasts.

Anu Ranjan, head of the Beti charity

JCK