National News
Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils IIGJ Udupi As A New Centre of Excellence For Gems & Jewellery Skills
New IIGJ Udupi Centre, Inaugurated By Nirmala Sitharaman, Aims To Boost Skill Development, Innovation, and Employment While Strengthening India’s Global Leadership In Gems and Jewellery
Marking a significant milestone in India’s gem and jewellery skill development landscape, the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Udupi, was unveiled today as a new centre of excellence by Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the government’s continued focus on skilling, innovation and employment generation for the sector.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Kota Shrinivas Poojari, Member of Parliament; Shri Yashpal A. Suvarna, MLA, Udupi; Shri Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kaup (Kapu) Assembly Constituency, Karnataka; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Mahender Tayal, Regional Chairman, Southern Region, GJEPC; and Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, alongside industry members, students and stakeholders.
The new IIGJ Udupi centre is envisioned as a hub for nurturing talent, supporting artisanal excellence and equipping students with industry-relevant skills across jewellery design, manufacturing and emerging technologies. The inauguration further strengthens IIGJ’s growing national footprint and underscores the sector’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
Nirmala Sitharaman said:
“IIGJ Udupi stands as a strong example of how industry-led skilling can transform lives and create opportunities for youth across southern India. The institute is empowering students from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and beyond with employable skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and pathways to prosperity.
Through the support of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the institute has aligned its training with global market needs and evolving industry standards. As demand for skilled talent grows and India strengthens its position in global jewellery exports, institutions like IIGJ Udupi will be instrumental in nurturing talent, expanding opportunities for our youth, and driving inclusive economic growth.”
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said:
“The unveiling of IIGJ Udupi reflects our continued commitment to strengthening India’s skill ecosystem for the gem and jewellery sector. In the last four years alone, IIGJ centres across the country have trained over 7,000 students, building a strong talent pool for the industry.
Today, the Indian gem and jewellery sector contributes nearly USD 28 billion in exports and supports over 5 million livelihoods. As the sector evolves into a more design-led, technology-driven and value-added ecosystem, the demand for skilled professionals will only grow. Institutions like IIGJ are central to sustaining India’s leadership and maintaining its position as the supplier of choice for the world. This effort also advances the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and supports our ambition of taking gem and jewellery exports to USD 100 billion.”
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) and IIT Madras (InCent-LGD). The partnership aims to launch a specialised certification programme in lab-grown diamond technologies, creating skilled and industry-ready professionals for this fast-growing sector. It will support value-added manufacturing and further strengthen India’s position in the global lab-grown diamond value chain, aligned with the vision of Make in India and Skill India.
Highlighting the sector’s transformation and emerging opportunities, Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said:
“With expanding global opportunities, strong domestic demand and growing focus on innovation, the industry is entering a new phase of growth. Investments in skilling and education through institutions like IIGJ will be critical to sustaining India’s leadership in the global gem and jewellery sector.”
Aligned with the government’s Skill India vision and initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, IIGJ has been expanding access to structured training for grassroots artisans and aspiring professionals. The IIGJ institute currently offers over 40 specialised programmes, including degree courses, diplomas and postgraduate programmes, with strong industry linkages and placement outcomes.
The new centre is expected to play a key role in supporting the next phase of growth while empowering youth, artisans and entrepreneurs from the region to participate in India’s expanding gem and jewellery opportunity.
National News
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Inaugurates Showroom In Kalyan, Its 8th Exclusive Store MMR
The new store marks Limelight’s 8th exclusive outlet in Mumbai, further strengthening its retail presence across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region reflects its focus on reaching consumers urban markets.
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, India’s largest and most trusted lab grown diamond jewellery brand, continues to expand its retail footprint with the launch of its new exclusive store in Kalyan, marking its 8th store in Mumbai. The launch further strengthens the Brand’s presence across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and reflects its focus on reaching consumers across both established and emerging high-potential urban markets.
The store was inaugurated by Karamjyot Chawla, Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, along with Regional Partner, Lalit Soni, alongside the brand’s leadership team. The launch marks another significant milestone in Limelight’s continued retail expansion across Mumbai.
The new store brings Limelight’s contemporary lab grown diamond jewellery closer to consumers in Kalyan, catering to an evolving customer base that is increasingly seeking modern, design-led and value-conscious jewellery options.
Designed to offer a contemporary and elevated retail experience, the store showcases Limelight’s extensive collection of CVD studded lab grown diamond jewellery crafted using Type IIA diamonds, globally recognised for their exceptional brilliance and purity. Customers can explore a wide range of classic solitaires, elegant necklaces, statement earrings, bracelets and versatile everyday jewellery, catering to both occasion-led purchases and modern lifestyles.
Kalyan represents an important market within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with a growing urban consumer base and evolving preferences towards contemporary jewellery formats. With its presence in Khadakpada, one of the most prominent, well-developed residential and commercial localities in Kalyan, Limelight aims to make lab grown diamond jewellery more accessible to consumers while offering a retail experience centred around design, quality and transparency.
To celebrate the launch, Limelight is offering special launch benefits for customers, giving them the opportunity to indulge with and shop their favourite diamond jewellery pieces at last year’s gold rate. Remarkably enticing, the offer is valid for a limited period only. (T&C apply.)
Pooja Madhavan, Founder & Managing Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, said:
“The launch of our 8th store in Mumbai is an important milestone for Limelight and reflects our continued confidence in the region. Mumbai has been an important market for us, and we are seeing growing consumer interest in contemporary diamond jewellery and newage formats that align well with their beliefs and ensure no compromises in quality. With our new store in Kalyan, we are more than delighted to extend the Limelight experience to a wider consumer base, cater to their distinctive demands and making high-quality lab grown diamond jewellery more accessible across the region.”
Karamjyot Chawla, Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, added:
“Reaching our 8th store in Mumbai is a significant milestone in our retail expansion journey. Our strategy is focused on building a strong presence across both established and emerging markets, and Kalyan is an important addition to this network.
The city has a growing consumer base with evolving jewellery preferences, and we look forward to bringing our extensive range and contemporary retail experience closer to consumers in Kalyan and the surrounding areas, diversifying our clientele for conscious luxury and taking it a step further.”
With the launch of its new store in Kalyan, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds now has 8 exclusive stores across Mumbai, further strengthening its retail network in one of India’s key jewellery markets. The launch is part of the brand’s wider nationwide expansion, as it continues to build awareness and accessibility for lab grown diamond jewellery across India.
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Inaugurates Showroom In Kalyan, Its 8th Exclusive Store MMR
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Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Inaugurates Showroom In Kalyan, Its 8th Exclusive Store MMR
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