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
Bhima Gold Unveils Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection for Akshaya Tritiya, Blending Devotion with Exquisite Design
A culturally rooted, insight-led launch that reimagines festive gold buying through storytelling, symbolism, and spiritual relevance.
In a move that blends cultural storytelling with product innovation, Bhima Gold has unveiled its Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection for Akshaya Tritiya – positioning gold not just as a purchase, but as a deeply symbolic expression of prosperity, faith, and intent.
Timed with one of India’s most significant gold-buying occasions, Akshaya Tritiya, the launch reflects a deeper cultural shift in consumer behaviour. While the festival continues to drive strong purchase intent, there is a growing preference for meaningful, purpose-led buying experiences over purely transactional consumption.
Aligned with this evolving mindset, the Ashtalakshmi coin collection has been thoughtfully conceptualised to blend tradition with deeper symbolism. Inspired by the eight sacred forms of Goddess Lakshmi, each coin represents a distinct dimension of prosperity—from wealth and nourishment to courage, knowledge, and continuity.

By bringing together Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi, the collection reframes gold coins from being a generic festive purchase to a story-driven, culturally immersive product experience – one that resonates across generations and belief systems.
This launch also aligns with Bhima Gold’s larger centenary narrative of “Together Purever,” which focuses on legacy, shared traditions, and evolving consumer meaning. The collection becomes an extension of that philosophy – reinforcing how heritage brands are reinterpreting tradition for a more aware and emotionally driven consumer.
Customers can pre-book their favourite jewellery by paying just 10% in advance & get their jewellery on Akshaya Tritiya at the lowest rate, which gives customers more flexibility and helps them plan their purchases with greater confidence, especially at a time when gold prices are high.
Akshaya Tritiya has traditionally been associated with intention, belief, and the aspiration for prosperity, extending beyond a purely transactional act of buying gold. The Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection has been conceptualised to reflect this deeper cultural and spiritual significance, with each coin designed to carry a distinct meaning and sense of purpose. The initiative also aligns with evolving consumer preferences, where there is a noticeable shift towards jewellery that offers emotional, cultural, and spiritual resonance in addition to intrinsic value.
With gold prices near record highs and consumer sentiment becoming more considered, Bhima’s Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection signals a broader shift in the category — from price-led promotions to meaning-led engagement, where design, storytelling, and cultural relevance drive both differentiation and demand.
As legacy brands navigate a new era of conscious consumption, Bhima Gold’s latest offering highlights how tradition can be reimagined as experience, making gold buying not just an act of investment, but an expression of identity and belief.
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