National News
AKGSMA State President Demands GST Reduction on Gold 1%; Announces Free Gold Ear Piercing Event in Ernakulam
K. Surendran, State President of the All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA), has urged the central government to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gold from the current 3% to 1%. Speaking at the inauguration of the AKGSMA Ernakulam District Committee meeting, K. Surendran pointed out that the current GST rate, introduced when gold prices hovered around Rs.20,000, is disproportionately high now that gold has crossed Rs.79,000 per 10 grams.
“Consumers are now forced to pay more than Rs.2,500 in GST alone for purchasing gold. This has become a significant burden, especially on the common man,” said Surendran. He also demanded the introduction of Equated Monthly Installments (EMI) options for gold ornament purchases, which would make it more accessible to middle and lower-income families
The meeting was presided over by Cyriac V. Joseph, who also serves as the newly elected General Secretary of the Ernakulam District Committee. Prominent state-level leaders including AKGSMA General Secretary Adv. S. Abdul Nazar, Treasurer C.V. Krishnadas, Working President P.K. Ayamuhaji, and Working General Secretaries B. Premanand and M. Vineeth addressed the gathering.
Free Gold Ear Piercing Event on September 17
In a unique community outreach initiative, the AKGSMA Ernakulam District Committee announced that it will organize a Free Gold Ear Piercing Ceremony (Kathukuthi Kammalidal) on September 17. As part of the event, gold earrings will be provided completely free of cost to children.
Parents of eligible children are requested to register in advance by contacting:
- District General Secretary Cyriac V. Joseph at 99958 30328
- District Treasurer Sameer Fathoom at 77369 99997
New Office Bearers Elected for AKGSMA Ernakulam District Committee
During the meeting, the following office bearers were elected to lead the Ernakulam District Committee of AKGSMA:
- President: Shafiq A. (AGD Gold and Diamonds, Kochi)
- General Secretary: Cyriac V. Joseph (Cyriac Diamonds)
- Treasurer: Sameer Fathoom
- Working President: Benny Kuriakose (Abhishekam)
- Vice Presidents: Shihab (Nakshatra) and Job T.R
- Secretaries: Arun Sangeet and Shaan Alain
The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of gold and silver merchants across Kerala while also promoting customer-friendly initiatives and transparency in the sector.
National News
Shree Ramkrishna Exports Launches “Kriam Pharma”
Kriam Pharma to Target Key Therapeutic Segments with Direct-to-Chemist Model; Backed by Gates Foundation for South Africa Supply, Aims Pan-India Reach by 2030 and Over 3,500 Jobs
Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), a leader in the natural diamond industry,has forayed into healthcare with the launch of “Kriam Pharma.” The inauguration ceremony, held in Surat under the theme “Aarogyam: A New Flight towards Health & Healing”, marked the official unveiling of this new venture.
The launch event was graced by dignitaries including Surat Mayor Daksheshbhai Mavani, SRK Founder & Chairman Govindbhai Dholakia, Dr Vijay Agarwal, President, Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO), Dr Giridhar Gyani, Director General, Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), Mathurbhai Savani, Chairman of Kiran Hospital, Arnav Kapoor, Deputy Director of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Padma Shri Savjibhai Dholakia of Hari Krishna Exports and several leaders from the healthcare ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Tej Dholakia, Founder of Kriam Pharma said, “Healthcare is a necessity for everyone, yet access to quality medicines at affordable prices remains a challenge. With Kriam Pharma, we aim to bridge this gap by delivering high-quality medicines while building trust between providers and patients. This is not merely a business journey, but a journey of service. We will ensure quality medicines at fair prices, initially reaching 20,000 towns and villages.”
Kriam Pharma will focus on categories such as anti-diabetic, cardiac care, gastrointestinal, pain management, dermatology, vitamins and minerals and anti-infectives, covering both immediate and long-term healthcare needs. In a highly fragmented market, the company will deliver reliability, while adhering to the highest ethical standards.
Mayor Daksheshbhai Mavani congratulated SRK on the new venture and expressed hope that with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Kriam Pharma would supply its medicines even to South Africa. He said, “The company would initially focus on Gujarat and Maharashtra, adopting a direct-to-chemist distribution model for efficiency and trust.”
CAHO President Dr. Vijay Agarwal said, “Even though remarkable progress has been made in medicine over the last 100 years, trust deficit remains. He stressed the importance of accessible and affordable care and wished success to Kriam Pharma in bridging gaps with quality medicines.”
Kriam Pharma aims to supply medicines across every city, town and village in India by 2030, while creating more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. The company is also exploring exports to emerging markets with high demand for dependable and high-quality medicines.
AHPI Director General Dr. Giridhar Gyani said, “30% of the hospital expenditure is on medicines, which highlights the need for affordable, accessible and quality medicines.”
Kriam Pharma is currently sourcing its products from leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and plans to set up in-house manufacturing in the second phase.
Reaffirming the company’s mission, Tej Dholakia added, “Our mission is rooted in a simple belief that medicine is not a privilege, it is a basic right. Every product, every partnership and every decision we make reflects our commitment to quality and integrity.”
Shreyans Dholakia, Brand Custodian of SRK Exports said, “With 60 years of excellence in natural diamonds, we are now committed to serving the nation in healthcare. Healthcare is a key focus area of the country.”
Govindbhai Dholakia, Founder- Chairman Emeritus of SRK Group said, “A company may be precious, but it must also be valuable. With Kriam Pharma, let us ensure that we uphold values alongside value, making this venture truly meaningful.”
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