Appointment

All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Announces New Leadership

Published

1 year ago

January 3, 2025

All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the apex body representing the Indian gem and jewellery industry, is pleased to announce that Mr. Rajesh Rokde has been elected as the new Chairman and Mr. Avinash Gupta the new Vice Chairman of the council. This is confirmed during the council’s first Board Meeting of the COA 2025 – 26 post completion of their COA elections held in December 2024.

Mr. Rajesh Rokde, from the esteemed Rokde Jewellers in Nagpur, upholds a remarkable legacy of over 100 years in the jewellery industry. Representing the Large Retailers category in GJC, he has distinguished himself through an unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer trust—the hallmarks of his family’s renowned brand. His proactive leadership as Vice Chairman and Legal Committee Convener has significantly benefited the jewellery industry by addressing critical issues such as GST for the Gems and Jewellery sector, import duty, hallmarking, 411, and many other pivotal matters. He has made numerous representations to government officials to resolve these challenges, and his timely actions have consistently brought positive outcomes for the industry. Mr. Rajesh Rokde, a stalwart in the jewellery industry with decades of experience, takes over as the Chairman. Known for his visionary leadership and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector, Mr. Rokde aims to drive initiatives that will strengthen the domestic market, promote innovation, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian jewellery.

Mr. Rajesh Rokde, Chairman GJC, stated: “I am deeply honoured to take on the responsibility of leading GJC at this pivotal time. The Indian gem and jewellery industry stands at the cusp of transformation, and it is our mission to work collectively towards sustainable growth, increased consumer trust, and greater recognition on the global stage. I look forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders to achieve our shared vision.”

Mr Avinash Gupta, based in Hyderabad from Mamraj Mussadilal Jewellers is a renowned personality of the Gems and Jewellery Industry and over many years, he has played a pivotal role in GJC during his tenure 2016-2022.His pro active approach in legal and compliance issues has benefitted industry a lot for example GST for Gems and Jewellery Industry, Import Duty and many other critical matters. Mr Gupta has also played a lead role by representing GJC in delegation to Shanghai ,London and Turkey to study Gold Exchanges to setup IIBX and he has been instrumental in many other prominent initiatives of Industry Mr. Avinash Gupta, a respected name in the industry and a long-standing member of GJC, has been elected as the Vice Chairman. Mr. Gupta brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence across the sector.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Avinash Gupta said: “It is a privilege to serve as the Vice Chairman of GJC. Together with Mr. Rokde and our dedicated COA team, I am confident that we can address the challenges faced by the industry and pave the way for new opportunities. Our focus will remain on driving ethical practices, embracing technological advancements, and ensuring the growth of small and medium enterprises in this sector.”

Outgoing Chairman, Mr. Saiyam Mehra, who will now take the position as Immediate Past Chairman, also shared his thoughts on the leadership transition, stating: “It has been an incredible journey serving as the Chairman of GJC. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, from championing the interests of the industry to driving initiatives that have strengthened GJC and our community. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Rajesh Rokde and Mr. Avinash Gupta, and I am confident that their leadership will take GJC to new heights. I will continue to support the Council and the industry in every possible way.”

The new leadership team aims to focus on key areas such as skill development, promoting ‘Make in India’ initiatives, enhancing consumer confidence through transparency, and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders, including artisans, traders, and retailers.

The All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council is committed to its role as a catalyst for growth and a unifying voice for the industry. Under the able leadership of Mr. Rajesh Rokde and Mr. Avinash Gupta, GJC is poised to usher in a new era of progress and innovation.

In December 2024, GJC successfully conducted their COA Elections, wherein the members of the GJC Committee of Administration (COA) for the term 2025-26 are as follows:

Mr. Rajesh Rokde (Chairman & Zonal Chairman – West) – Large Retailer, West Zone
Mr. Avinash Gupta (Vice Chairman & Zonal Chairman – South) – Larger Wholesaler, South Zone
Mr. Saiyam Mehra (Immediate Past Chairman) – Large Wholesaler, West Zone

Dr. Ravi Kapoor (Zonal Chairman – North) – Large Retailer, North Zone
Mr. Sunil Poddar (Zonal Chairman – East) – Medium Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone

Mr. Amit Jindal (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, North Zone
Mr. Amit Kumar Soni (COA Member) – Small Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone
Mr. Ashok Kumar Jain (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, South Zone
Mr. Gurjeet Singh (COA Member) – Small Retailer, North Zone
Mr. HM Sultan Mohideen (COA Member) – Small Retailer, South Zone
Mr. Madan Kothari (COA Member) – Small Manufacturer Jewellery, West Zone
Mr. Nilesh S. Shobhawat (COA Member) – Small & Medium Wholesaler, West Zone
Mr. Ravi Prakash Agarwal (COA Member) – Small Retailer, North Zone
Mr. Rupesh Tambi (COA Member) – Small & Medium Wholesaler, North Zone
Mr. Sahil Mehra (COA Member) – Medium Manufacturer Jewellery, West Zone
Mr. Salim Daginawala (COA Member) – Large Retailer, West Zone
Mr. Samar Kumar De (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, East Zone
Mr. Siddharth Sawansukha (COA Member) – Large Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone
Mr. Sourav Roy (COA Member) – Small Retailer, East Zone
Mr. Suyash Agrawal (COA Member) – Small & Medium Manufacturer Silver Jewellery, West Zone
Mr. Vardhaman Kothari (COA Member) – Small Retailer, West Zone

Related Topics:2025 appoinment jbinsights JewelleryCouncil nationalnews

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Appointment

Diamonds For Development Fund Chairperson Announced As Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

Internationally Respected Leader and Renowned Development Economist To Lead The Fund Focused On Powering Botswana’s Economic Diversification

Published

3 days ago

June 2, 2026

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The Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group have announced the appointment of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as Chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund.

Dr. Adesina is a globally respected leader and renowned development economist with nearly 40 years of experience in African and international development. He served as the 8th elected President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020, completing his second term in September 2025.

During his tenure as President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Adesina’s notable achievements included:

Increasing the Bank’s capital from $93 billion to $318 billion, the largest expansion in its history.
Establishing the Africa Investment Forum, which has mobilised over $225 billion in investment interest for African projects since its launch in 2018.
Launching the transformative High 5s Strategy in 2015, which has positively impacted the lives of 565 million people across Africa.
Leading the development of Mission 300, a joint initiative of the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group, aimed at providing access to electricity for 300 million Africans by 2030.

Dr. Adesina has also received extensive global recognition, including being named Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2013 and 2019, Africa’s Man of the Year 2022 by EMY Africa, and consistently ranking among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New Africa Magazine. He was also listed among the 100 Most Reputable People in the World by Reputation Poll International.

Honourable Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy for the Government of the Republic of Botswana, said:

“We are proud and honoured to have Dr. Akinwumi Adesina join the Diamonds for Development Fund as Chairperson. His appointment strengthens Botswana’s commitment to maximising the value of its diamond resources as a catalyst for economic transformation, diversification, innovation, beneficiation, and citizen participation in the diamond value chain. We draw inspiration from Dr. Adesina’s achievements as an internationally accomplished reformer and look forward to his leadership in delivering the Fund’s ambitious mandate.”

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said:

“When we established the groundbreaking Diamonds for Development Fund with the Botswana Government, we knew it would require an exceptional leader to realise our vision of economic diversification and job creation. Dr. Adesina’s outstanding track record in African development, strong governance credentials, and commitment to long-term impact make him the ideal person to lead the Fund. I look forward to seeing him guide this important initiative in the years ahead.”

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said:

“I am greatly honoured to be appointed Chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund by the Government of Botswana and De Beers Group. This is a bold and visionary initiative designed to ensure that the people of Botswana directly benefit from the wealth generated by diamonds. It is not only diamonds that should shine—the lives of the people of Botswana must shine as well. The Fund has the potential to set a global benchmark for how natural resource wealth can create enduring value for future generations. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to build a more prosperous future for Botswana.”

Dr. Adesina will formally assume his new role on 15 June 2026. The Diamonds for Development Fund is currently finalising the appointment of independent directors to its board as the next key step towards becoming fully operational.