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
Will RBI Rate Hikes Make Gold Loans Costlier?
With Bullion rIces Sliding From Recent Peaks, Borrowers Face A Dual Squeeze: Potential Upward Adjustments On Floating Borrowing Costs and Lower Loan Amounts Against Pledged jJewellery.
Potential rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could push borrowing costs higher across the financial system, but the transmission to gold loans will not be immediate or uniform across all lenders, analysts and industry executives said. With bullion prices sliding from recent peaks, borrowers face a dual squeeze: potential upward adjustments on floating borrowing costs and lower loan amounts against pledged jewellery.
Key Takeaways for Borrowers & Lenders
Non-Uniform Transmission: A repo rate hike does not guarantee a 1:1 surge in gold loan rates. Lenders pricing credit via non-bank finance company (NBFC) cost-of-funds channels may adjust rates on a different timeline compared to banks operating direct floating-rate transmission models.
Loan Structure Matters: Existing fixed-rate borrowers remain protected for their contract term, while floating-rate borrowers face higher interest costs upon contract reset dates.
Collateral & LTV Risk: A fall in gold prices reduces the value of pledged collateral relative to total debt. Lenders are required under RBI regulations to enforce a strict loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling of 75%, leaving borrowers vulnerable to margin calls or mandatory partial pay-downs if market prices breach regulatory margins.
Commercial banks experience a high and direct immediate impact from a central bank rate hike, as their benchmark-linked External Benchmark Lending Rates (EBLR) force floating borrowing costs to reset quickly.
In contrast, gold loan NBFCs face a moderate or delayed impact, with interest rate adjustments depending on their broader liability structure, wholesale borrowing costs, and competitive market positioning.
For fixed-rate contracts, a rate hike has no immediate impact, keeping borrowing costs steady until the specified term ends. Conversely, floating-rate contracts carry a high impact, with interest charges stepping upward automatically on the loan’s next periodic reset date.
Strategic Considerations
Borrowers considering a gold loan amidst rate uncertainty and volatile commodity prices should evaluate the following structural factors:
Calculate Servicing Capacity: Assess whether monthly cash outflows can accommodate potential interest rate resets on floating-rate agreements.
Review LTV Margins: Evaluate pledged jewellery value at current spot rates to maintain a safety cushion above the mandatory 75% LTV regulatory threshold, mitigating auction risk during sharp gold pullbacks.
Compare Fine Print: Look past headline interest rates to evaluate reset frequencies, processing charges, prepayment penalties, and default auction clauses across competing bank and NBFC offerings.
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