The Gemmological Institute of India (GII) organised a grand felicitation of Founding Chairman Kirtilal Doshi who retired after 43 years at the helm of the institution. The function was held along with GII’s Annual Convocation at the Y.B. Chavan Centre in Mumbai on September 27, 2014.

On behalf of the diamond industry, Kirtibhai was presented a Memento by Chief Guest Arunbhai Mehta of Rosy Blue, and current GII Chairman Bakul Mehta. Also present on the occasion were Presiding Guest Vipul Shah, Chairman GJEPC and Guest of Honour Anoop Mehta, President BDB, as well as Arvindbhai Shah, Rajendrabhai Shah and other stalwarts from the industry.

Kirtibhai was nominated as Chairman Emeritus of GII in addition to being Chairman Emeritus of Shrenuj & Co.

In 1965, he along with other far sighted members of the trade such as Rajendrakumar A. Shah, Himmatbhai C. Jhaveri, Late Padmakant H. Jhaveri and Late Pravin M. Nanavati formulated plans for setting up a gemmological institute in the country which led to the foundation of GII in 1971. He was also instrumental in founding a number of industry bodies beginning in the mid 1950s, such as the Precious Stone Importers Association, Diamond Exporters Association Ltd. and The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

Speaking on the occasion, Bakul Mehta said, “Kirtibhai, the main architect of the GII is turning 93 next month. Under his dynamic and pragmatic leadership during the last four decades GII has been extending relentless support to the growth of the gem industry.”

In his reply, Kirtibhai remembered the early days, saying, “Almost half a century ago in 1965, when the idea of GII was born in a small cabin in Zaveri Bazaar, we just had a blurred idea of the things to come. We were young and enthusiastic diamantaires with a dream to take the Indian gem and jewellery industry to its leadership position in the world.”

Responding with emotion to the felicitation, he added, “Today when GII wishes to felicitate me it is a very strange feeling. I have never seen myself apart from GII and suddenly when I learned about this event, I paused for a moment to reflect on where we have reached.”

He concluded that the future was bright. “The new generation of business leaders in the gem and jewellery industry are dynamic and knowledgeable. They think beyond boundaries and have access to global resources. This is the time to take a giant leap and position GII at the helm.”

GII is now a project of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and co-sponsored by Bharat Diamond Bourse, Diamond Exporters Association Ltd., Mumbai Diamond Merchants Association and Gem & Jewellery Exporters’ Association.