National News

THE GEMS BEHIND OUR JEWELS

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2025

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, 5^th 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.

Related Topics:2025 Gold nationalnews NIFT VBJ

Up Next

Directorate of Industries Roundtable consultation focuses on g&J Policy

Don't Miss

Seminar on gold and silver import through IIBX held in Kolkata

Click to comment

Name*

Email*

Website

Name*

Email*

Website

0 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

National News

Kerala Chief Minister’s Presence Marks Grand Finale Of KJIF 2026 As State’s Jewellery Industry Charts New Growth Vision

Three-Day B2B Fair Concludes With Record Participation, Strong Business Momentum and Unprecedented Government Support.

Published

17 hours ago

July 14, 2026

JewelBuzz Spread The Buzz

The fifth edition of the Kerala Jewellery International Fair (KJIF) 2026 concluded on an exceptional note, reinforcing Kerala’s position as one of India’s most influential jewellery markets. Organised jointly by the Kerala Gold & Silver Merchants Association (KGSMA) and United Exhibitions, the three-day B2B exhibition witnessed remarkable business activity, record industry participation, knowledge-sharing initiatives and an unprecedented level of government engagement.

The grand finale of the exhibition was marked by the Kerala Jewellers State Convention, where Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri V. D. Satheesan, addressed an audience of more than 5,000 jewellers, manufacturers, retailers, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the state. His presence elevated the stature of the convention and reaffirmed the Government’s recognition of Kerala’s jewellery sector as a vital contributor to the state’s economic development.

In his keynote address, the Chief Minister acknowledged Kerala’s longstanding leadership in the gold and diamond industry, describing the sector as a major driver of employment, entrepreneurship, exports and wealth creation. He highlighted the industry’s resilience, craftsmanship and global reputation while encouraging greater adoption of technology, innovation, responsible business practices and international competitiveness. Expressing confidence in Kerala’s jewellery fraternity, he called upon the industry to continue playing a transformative role in shaping the state’s economic future.

The State Convention also provided an important platform for meaningful interaction between policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating discussions on the future of the jewellery trade, sustainable growth, evolving consumer expectations and policy support required to strengthen one of Kerala’s most vibrant business sectors.

Distinguished Dignitaries Throughout the Three-Day Event

KJIF 2026 witnessed the participation of several eminent dignitaries throughout the exhibition, reflecting the growing importance of the jewellery industry within Kerala’s economic landscape.

The exhibition was formally inaugurated by Shri P. C. Vishnunadh, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture, while the official unveiling of KJIF 2026 was performed by Shri P. K. Kunhalikutty, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, IT & AI, who appreciated the exhibition’s contribution towards promoting business, manufacturing excellence and industrial growth.

The inaugural evening concluded with the spectacular KJIF Fashion Nite & Gala Dinner, graced by Shri Roji M. John, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, who interacted with industry members and appreciated the creativity and craftsmanship displayed by exhibitors.

On the second day, Smt. Shanimol Usman, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, visited the exhibition and commended the industry’s continuous contribution towards employment generation and entrepreneurship.

Day 2 concluded successfully with the presence of Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs and Vigilance, who shared his memories of interacting with Malayalee karigars across other states and stressed the importance of bringing that employment and craftsmanship back to Kerala while developing the state into India’s jewellery export hub.

The exhibition concluded with the Kerala Jewellers State Convention, where Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri V. D. Satheesan delivered the valedictory address, making the closing ceremony one of the most memorable moments in the history of KJIF.

Alongside the Chief Minister, Shri Benny Behnan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri Roji M. John, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, KGSMA State President Shri K. Surendran, State General Secretary Adv. S. Abdul Nazar, State Treasurer Shri C. V. Krishna Das, Shri V. K. Manoj, Project Director of United Exhibitions, Shri Varghese Alukka, Managing Director of Jos Alukkas Jewellery, along with the Vice Presidents and Secretaries of KGSMA, were present on the dais.

Outstanding Business Response

KJIF 2026 recorded an overwhelming response from jewellery retailers and trade buyers from every district of Kerala. The exhibition witnessed a strong influx of quality business visitors, resulting in productive interactions between exhibitors and buyers.

Exhibitors expressed high levels of satisfaction with the quality of footfall, reporting encouraging order enquiries, advance festive bookings and significant business generated across gold, diamond, bridal and contemporary jewellery collections. The exhibition once again established itself as Kerala’s most preferred sourcing platform ahead of the festive and wedding seasons.

Knowledge-Driven Industry Engagement

Beyond business, KJIF 2026 continued its commitment to industry development through a series of well-attended knowledge sessions.

The Banking Seminar brought together leading financial institutions and jewellery entrepreneurs to discuss banking solutions, working capital support, digital banking and financial best practices.

The seminar titled “Jewellery Business for Today & Future” featured eminent industry experts who shared valuable insights into changing consumer behaviour, organised retail, digital transformation, branding strategies and emerging opportunities within the jewellery sector.

The Youth Wing Seminar focused on preparing the next generation of jewellery entrepreneurs through discussions on leadership, succession planning, innovation and business sustainability, inspiring young professionals to take the industry forward.

Fashion Walk Adds Glamour to Opening Day

Adding elegance and excitement to the inaugural evening was the Fashion Walk Powered by Malayala Manorama, which presented exquisite jewellery collections through a professionally curated runway showcase. The event beautifully blended craftsmanship with contemporary design, providing participating exhibitors an exclusive platform to unveil their latest collections before Kerala’s leading retailers and industry professionals.

KJIF Strengthens Its Position as South India’s Premier B2B Jewellery Exhibition

The overwhelming response from exhibitors, visitors, trade associations and business partners reaffirmed the Kerala Jewellery International Fair as one of South India’s most influential B2B jewellery exhibitions.

By successfully integrating business networking, government participation, knowledge exchange and premium lifestyle experiences under one platform, KJIF 2026 once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening Kerala’s jewellery ecosystem and creating new opportunities for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers alike.

With record participation, strong business outcomes, impactful industry discussions and the distinguished presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, KJIF 2026 concluded on a historic note, setting new benchmarks for the jewellery industry and paving the way for an even stronger, more innovative and globally competitive future for Kerala’s gold and diamond sector.

The next edition of the Kerala Jewellery International Fair (KJIF) will be held from 2nd to 4th July 2027.