JB Insights
PM Modi, Vipul Shah in Rapaport’s “People of the Year” list
Rapaport’s “People of the Year” reflect the broad range of challenges affecting the diamond trade and industry — and some of the solutions.The , inclusion in this list is reflective of his or her influence on the diamond industry and/or presence in the headlines.
It names honourable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi as the mover and shaker of the diamond world in the year 2023.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a number of contact points with the jewelry industry in 2023. He inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse in December. He also raised a few eyebrows by referring to lab-grown diamonds as “green diamonds.”
It also names GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah one amongst 6 people in the world to shape the future of the world diamond industry .India needed a voluntary pause in rough-diamond imports to stop inventories from getting out of control. The industry implemented this freeze for two months.it was the GJEPC that brought people together and managed the process following the crunch meeting. Vipul Shah, its chairman, was at the forefront.
JB Insights
India’s ₹361 Lakh Crore Gold Reserve Lies Idle; PM Modi Calls For Recycling To Cut Imports
With An Estimated 32,000 Tonnes Of Gold Sitting Unused In Homes and Temples, The Government Sees A Massive Opportunity To Reduce Imports, Strengthen The Economy, and Build A More Sustainable Gold Ecosystem.
India is sitting on one of the world’s largest untapped gold reserves, with 30,000–32,000 tonnes of gold held by households and temple trusts across the country. Valued at nearly $3.8 trillion (around Rs. 361 lakh crore), much of this gold remains locked away in cupboards, lockers, and vaults, generating little economic value.
Highlighting the importance of this dormant asset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged citizens to consider recycling idle gold rather than relying solely on newly imported supplies. The initiative aims to bring existing gold back into circulation and make better use of resources already available within the country.
The appeal comes at a time when India continues to depend heavily on imported gold to meet domestic demand. During 2025-26, the country spent approximately $72.4 billion (Rs. 6.88 lakh crore) on gold imports, making the precious metal one of the largest contributors to the import bill.
According to experts, increasing gold recycling could deliver significant economic benefits. Every gram of recycled gold reduces the need for an equivalent amount of imports, helping ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves while also supporting efforts to narrow the country’s current account deficit.
Even a small shift could have a substantial impact. Industry estimates suggest that if just 1% of the gold held by households and temples is recycled each year, India’s gold imports could decline by approximately 25% to 30%.
The vast stockpile of idle gold is rooted in India’s longstanding cultural and financial relationship with the metal. For generations, gold has served as a store of wealth, a safeguard during emergencies, and a symbol of family security and prosperity. As a result, many families continue to hold jewellery that is rarely used but seldom sold.
Viewed from a broader perspective, the government sees this dormant gold stock as a valuable domestic resource. Bringing a greater share of it into the formal economy could help reduce dependence on imports, enhance economic stability, and create a more sustainable gold supply chain for the future.
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