While gracing the foundation stone laying ceremony of IIGJ Varanasi, Hon. Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Unlike other sectors, Gem & Jewellery sector has direct impact on job creation. This is one sector which has different sub sectors by which gem & jewellery industry provides maximum jobs to people who come from rural areas and also with non gem & jewellery background through proper training.”
Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “GJEPC, the apex gem & jewellery body in India has always strived to support Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision for putting India on the trajectory of growth through numerous initiatives, one such being ‘Skill India.' We are establishing an IIGJ in one of the oldest learning centres of the world – Varanasi - with the ultimate objective of nurturing talent and enhancing export from the region. We hope to revive the rich tradition of jewellery designing craftsmanship in the entire northern region through this Institute”.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished