Piyush Goyal Honoured With the Hall of Fame

Business Leader of the Year Award by GJEPC 

In a glittering celebration of excellence, the gem and jewellery industry bestowed its highest honour upon ten luminaries at the prestigious IIJS Signature Show, as they were inducted into the coveted Hall of Fame category. The event served as a platform to recognise the outstanding contributions of these trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the industry.  

This momentous occasion not only celebrated the achievements of these 10 luminaries but also highlighted the collective spirit of the gem and jewellery community. The sparkling players are, Govindbhai Laljibhai Dholakia of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK), Shailesh Sangani, of Priority Jewels.  

Joy Alukkas of Joy Alukkas Jewellers, K Srinivasan of Emerald Jewel Industry India, Pramod Kumar Agrawal (Derewala) of the National Gem & Jewellery Council of India (NGJCI), Nirupa Bhatt, consults-gem and jewellery businesses, Tehmasp Printer of IGI, Rajesh Kalyanaraman of Kalyan Jewellers & Banker Bijayananda Pattanayak! Earlier, GJEPC had honoured Piyush Goyal with the Hall of Fame - Business Leader of the Year Award by GJEPC!

At the inauguration ceremony of IIJS Signature at Jio World, GJEPC honoured Piyush Goyal, the Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution & Textiles, Government of India, with the Hall of Fame – Business Leader of The Year Award.  

While presenting the award to Goyal, Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, stated, “We express our profound gratitude and admiration by conferring you with the Hall of Fame – Leader of the Year award. Your exceptional leadership, notably as the Minister of Commerce & Industry, your solid support to the sector, your persistence and commitment in leading the industry to scale remarkable heights is noteworthy.  

For several years, you have played a pivotal role in steering the growth, advancement and most importantly, transformation of our industry. Your adept handling of complex issues like excise has garnered admiration from the Government, jewellers, and the public.  

Your proactive and meticulous approach in resolving GST challenges and steering initiatives like the India-UAE CEPA, enhancing gold jewellery exports, stands as a testament to your vision, especially amid challenging times.  

The implementation of Mandatory Hallmarking Scheme for Gold Jewellery and coining the HUID, a unique feature in the world, marked a pivotal moment for the industry, benefiting both customers and businesses alike. Your leadership and personal involvement in revolutionising the SEEPZ Mumbai through Mega CFC and Nest 1 & 2 demonstrates your dedication to growth and operational excellence.  

Digitising certificates and licenses from DGFT to exporter has streamlined processes, while your initiative like ONDC for exports via e-commerce has broadened the industry’s global reach. The grant of Rs.242 crore to IIT Madras for Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGD) research underscores your commitment to sustainable industry development, reinforcing India’s global prominence as a leading gem and jewellery sourcing destination for the world for years come.”  

Graciously receiving the award and genuinely moved by the unexpected honour, Piyush Goyal expressed his humility during his keynote address at IIJS Signature, stating that it was his inaugural event of the year.  

He acknowledged the unstinted support of the Honorable Prime Minister, who serves as a vocal advocate and brand ambassador for the industry. Goyal highlighted the government’s steadfast commitment to exploring avenues for India’s global expansion, emphasizing their dedicated efforts to ensure the success of this pivotal sector.