National News
THE GEMS BEHIND OUR JEWELS
Gold is an integral part of our lives, more so in the lives of women. Considered auspicious, gold is part of every celebration – be it festivals or personal milestones. According to the World Gold Council, Indian women collectively own around 24,000 tons of gold, which accounts for about 11% of the world’s total gold reserves in jewellery form. It is only right to say India is the global leader in household gold ownership. The Oxford Gold Group’s report states that the Indian households have more gold than the combined reserves of the United States, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Switzerland and Germany.
Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers has been serving the Indian community with authentic and aesthetically appealing gold jewels for 125 years, now. VBJ has been a benchmark for purity and trust for decades. Our remarkable growth story and undying patronage since the 1900 has been possible because of our quality, design and innovation in the jewellery space. Every piece of jewellery from VBJ is intricately crafted to bring out its true emotion with the purest of materials and finest craftsmanship. This has been possible because of the talented and focussed professionals of the VBJ team.
While VBJ is beyond gender classification among its team members, with women’s day round the corner, it is only right to celebrate and congratulate the women who have been instrumental for VBJ’s phenomenal growth.
We have a total of 254 women employees at VBJ – 233 in the retail and 21 in the creative centre. While it is our principle to value every employee, we are extremely proud of three women employees specifically who have spent decades with VBJ. Padmasri M has been with us for 42.08 years, Vanitha for 42.02 years and Latha S for 34.1 years. At this age and time, it is truly remarkable.
As of now, we have 8 women designers and all of them have been trained at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). In the earlier years, there have been several prominent women leaders who have made significant contributions to the brand, showcasing remarkable leadership and management skills in their respective roles like Vanitha, Latha, Revathi and Radha.
Vanitha handled the Anna Salai Silver branch, where she demonstrated her exceptional ability in managing both operational and customer service aspects of the business. As the order manager, Latha played a crucial role in streamlining the order management process. Revathi was responsible for overseeing the Anna Nagar branch, a position that required strong leadership and managerial expertise. Serving as the Billing Manager, Radha was pivotal in managing the financial transactions and ensuring smooth billing operations.
Specialised training programmes and growth
VBJ offers specialized training programs designed to enhance the technical and soft skills of their women professionals. The training focusses on leadership development, communication skills, technical training, and project management to ensure they are equipped to handle all departments of VBJ.
Women have equal access to all training programmes and career advancement opportunities. Our unbiased recruitment and promotion policies, focussing on merit and skills, are bringing more women to the team.
Woman power at VBJ
We have made considerable strides in increasing the female representation to reflect our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2022, there was 130 women out of 584 employees, which increased to 166 (out of 748) the following year. This number escalated to 200 (out of 767) in 2024 and now it stands at 254 out of the total 847 employees. This has been possible because of focussed efforts to improve gender diversity, targeted recruitment initiatives, mentorship programmes, implementation of policies promoting work-life balance and inclusive development for women.
In line with the theme of International Women’s Day 2025 – Accelerate Action – VBJ is working towards the continued upward trend in women participation and growth. We are strongly committed to fostering an environment where women feel valued and empowered in their roles at VBJ. At the helm, 5th generation women entrepreneurs from the VBJ family having started pouring in their creativity and fresh thoughts.
The Future of Women in Jewellery
The presence of women in the jewellery industry is not just growing—it is shaping its very foundation. Brands that actively foster gender inclusivity witness not only stronger business performance but also richer, more meaningful creations that resonate with a diverse audience. As we look ahead, the contributions of women in jewellery will continue to accelerate change – whether as designers reimagining aesthetics, artisans preserving age-old techniques, retail professionals enhancing customer experiences, or leaders driving sustainable business practices, their role is indispensable. On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the true gems behind the jewels—the women who craft not just ornaments, but legacies that shine beyond brilliance.
National News
Kimberley Process Intersessional 2026 Concludes In Mumbai Under India’s Chairship With Focus On Future Of Natural Diamond Sector
Union Minister Of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Reaffirms India’s Commitment To Strengthening Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence In The Natural Diamond Sector
Intersessional Focuses on Transparency, Governance and Operational Reforms in Natural Diamond Trade
The Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting 2026 concluded in Mumbai under India’s Chairship, bringing together representatives from KP Participants, Observers, industry stakeholders and civil society organisations for four days of deliberations on the future of the natural diamond sector.
Welcoming the conclusion of the Intersessional, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal said India, as the world’s leading centre for diamond cutting and polishing, recognises the vital role of the Kimberley Process in ensuring that natural diamonds remain a symbol of trust, responsibility and shared prosperity. He said that under India’s Chairship, the country remains firmly committed to advancing the 3Cs – Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence – and to working with all Participants and stakeholders to strengthen the KP’s relevance in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
The Minister further said the natural diamond sector sustains millions of livelihoods across producing, processing and consuming nations, and India will continue to champion a KP that is robust, transparent and responsive to both industry and consumer expectations.
Held under India’s Chairship theme of the 3Cs – Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence – the Intersessional advanced discussions on strengthening trust, transparency and cooperation within the Kimberley Process framework.
During the Intersessional, Working Groups and Committees held detailed discussions on monitoring, technical processes, governance, statistics and artisanal production, with a sustained focus on strengthening transparency, improving operational mechanisms and reinforcing trust across the natural diamond value chain.
KP Chair 2026 Suchindra Misra said the progress achieved during the Mumbai Intersessional reflected the shared commitment of Participants and Observers towards keeping the Kimberley Process credible, relevant and responsive to the evolving dynamics of global diamond trade and consumer expectations. He emphasized that trust remains the foundation of the natural diamond trade and highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Kimberley Process as a pillar of responsible sourcing, transparency and confidence across the diamond value chain.
The Intersessional also highlighted the importance of enhancing communication and outreach efforts to better convey the positive impact of the Kimberley Process to end consumers, including responsible sourcing practices, development outcomes and livelihood support across producing nations and communities.
The discussions held during the Intersessional will carry forward into the KP Plenary scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this year, with a continued focus on credibility, compliance and consumer confidence under India’s Chairship through 2026.
The meeting witnessed participation from KP Participants, the World Diamond Council, Civil Society Coalition members, industry bodies and other stakeholders. The Chair underlined that the Kimberley Process’ unique tripartite structure and consensus-based approach, bringing together governments, industry and civil society, continues to be one of its key strengths.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, established under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 of 2000, is a global initiative aimed at preventing conflict diamonds from entering legitimate trade and promoting responsible sourcing across the natural diamond supply chain.
As a leading global centre for diamond cutting and polishing, India reaffirmed its commitment to the objectives of the Kimberley Process and to promoting transparency, sustainability and responsible practices in the natural diamond sector.
Concluding Statement by Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC on the KP Intersessional 2026:
As the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting 2026 concludes in Mumbai, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) reaffirms its commitment to strengthening a credible, compliant, and consumer-confident natural diamond trade.
Over the last four days, we have seen constructive dialogue among governments, industry, and civil society on advancing the 3Cs framework—Credibility, Compliance, and Consumer Confidence—that India has set for its Chairmanship year. The discussions on strengthening the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), monitoring and compliance mechanisms, artisanal production, and supply chain transparency are critical to ensuring the KP remains relevant in a marketplace shaped by transparency, sustainability, and digital verification.
GJEPC welcomes the unified focus on reinforcing trust in ethically sourced natural diamonds and on adapting the KP to evolving global challenges. Natural diamonds represent a sustainable product and livelihood for millions, and the Kimberley Process continues to be one of the most progressive certification systems globally.
We will continue to work closely with the Government of India, KP Participants, the World Diamond Council, and civil society to support India’s leadership and to advance best practices that safeguard the integrity of the global diamond industry. GJEPC remains committed to ensuring that consumer confidence in conflict-free diamonds is strengthened across all markets.
Let us carry forward the momentum from Mumbai to build a more transparent, inclusive, and future-ready Kimberley Process for the benefit of producing nations, the trade, and consumers worldwide.
Kimberley Process Intersessional 2026 Concludes In Mumbai Under India’s Chairship With Focus On Future Of Natural Diamond Sector
Natural Diamond Council Successfully Challenges Misleading Ads By Synthetic Diamond Retailers
P N Gadgil Jewellers Reports Record FY26 Revenue Of ₹ 1,07,391 Million; Revenue Surges 39.6% YoY And PAT Grows 87.8%
P N Gadgil Jewellers Reports Record FY26 Revenue Of ₹ 1,07,391 Million; Revenue Surges 39.6% YoY And PAT Grows 87.8%
Kimberley Process Intersessional 2026 Concludes In Mumbai Under India’s Chairship With Focus On Future Of Natural Diamond Sector
Natural Diamond Council Successfully Challenges Misleading Ads By Synthetic Diamond Retailers
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National News8 hours agoP N Gadgil Jewellers Reports Record FY26 Revenue Of ₹ 1,07,391 Million; Revenue Surges 39.6% YoY And PAT Grows 87.8%
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National News5 hours agoKimberley Process Intersessional 2026 Concludes In Mumbai Under India’s Chairship With Focus On Future Of Natural Diamond Sector
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National News7 hours agoNatural Diamond Council Successfully Challenges Misleading Ads By Synthetic Diamond Retailers
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