National News
Celebrating 100 years of Bhima Jewellery:Coffee table book launched at GJS 2025 to mark Bhima Jewellery’s centenary
Trust, tradition, and timeless craftsmanship took center stage as the Indian jewellery fraternity came together to commemorate a historic moment—100 years of Bhima Jewellery. The centennial celebration was marked by the grand unveiling of a commemorative coffee table book at the prestigious GJS 2025 chronicling the illustrious journey of one of India’s most respected jewellery houses.
The book, a visual and narrative tribute, beautifully captures the evolution of Bhima Jewellery—from a modest store established in 1925 by visionary founder Bhima Bhattar to a household name synonymous with quality, trust, and excellence in jewellery.
Addressing an emotional gathering, Dr. B Govindan, Chairman of Bhima Jewellery, reflected on the brand’s humble origins in Kerala. With heartfelt reverence, he paid tribute to his father, Bhima Bhattar, whose entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to integrity laid the foundation for the century-old legacy.“This is not just a celebration of a business milestone,” Dr. Govindan said, “but a testament to the enduring values that have guided us—trust, craftsmanship, and our deep-rooted connection with our customers. I express my deepest gratitude to the entire jewellery fraternity for their unwavering love and support throughout this journey.”
Industry veterans, peers, and admirers lauded Bhima Jewellery’s role in shaping India’s modern jewellery landscape while staying true to its traditional roots. The event was a blend of nostalgia and pride, underscoring how heritage brands like Bhima continue to inspire generations in a rapidly evolving industry.
The coffee table book, rich with archival photographs, design evolution, family anecdotes, and cultural context, now stands as a collector’s piece and a symbol of enduring legacy—celebrating not just 100 years of Bhima, but also a century of trust.
Joining Dr B Govindan , Jaya Govindan and Suhas MS , MD Bhima Jewellery in the celebrations were Rajesh Rokde,Chairman GJC, Avinash Gupta Vice Chairman GJC, Saiyam Mehra IPC GJC and Convenor GJS,Sachin Jain, Regional CEO India-World Gold Council, Vaishali Banerjee, MD – Platinum Guild International (PGI), India,
Dr Chetan Kumar Mehta, President – Jewellery Division – IBJA, President – JAB, CMD Laxmi Diamonds, Bengaluru and Sumesh Wadhera, MD – AOJ Media.
National News
Correction In Gold Prices Prompts Margin Calls On Some Bullet‑Repayment Gold Loans
NBFCs, Have Started Shifting Toward EMI Based Gold Loan Products To Reduce LTV Vulnerability
A sharp correction in gold prices over recent months has prompted margin calls on some bullet‑repayment gold loans, while EMI (regular‑instalment) loans have stayed largely insulated; this dynamic and recent RBI rules (effective April 1, 2026) have pushed non‑bank lenders to migrate toward EMI‑based products to reduce future margin‑call risk.
Bullet loans keep principal outstanding until maturity, so a fall in gold’s market value raises the loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio quickly and can trigger margin calls or demands for extra collateral; lenders have invoked margin calls in some cases as prices fell over five months.
EMI loans reduce outstanding principal every month, creating an equity cushion that buffers the borrower against modest price corrections and so have remained largely unaffected in the recent correction.
Market participants attribute the correction to geopolitical events and renewed concerns about interest‑rate trajectories, which reduced safe‑haven flows and weighed on prices.
Key elements of the new RBI gold‑loan framework (effective April 1, 2026)
- Tiered LTV caps: 85% for loans up to Rs 2.5 lakh, 80% for Rs 2.5–5 lakh, and 75% above Rs 5 lakh. This standardises collateral limits across lenders.
- Requirement that borrowers repay principal and interest within 12 months (ending the widespread practice of rolling by paying only interest) and stricter auction/valuation and borrower‑protection rules (30‑day average or previous‑day price for valuation, faster release of gold on closure, mandated disclosures, auction reserve pricing rules).
- LTV for bullet loans must be calculated on the total amount repayable at maturity, which makes bullet structures less attractive under the new framework.
Industry response and product shift
- Non‑bank lenders (NBFCs, smaller finance companies) have started shifting toward EMI‑based gold‑loan products to reduce LTV vulnerability and margin‑call exposure, and to align with RBI’s consumer‑protection and repayment‑discipline aims.
- Lenders say they can manage risks on short‑term loans and through active LTV monitoring, but the structural incentive now favours EMI schedules because they steadily reduce outstanding balances.
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