6th January 2025  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the apex body representing the Indian gem and jewellery industry, is pleased to announce that Mr. Rajesh Rokde has been elected as the new Chairman and Mr. Avinash Gupta the new Vice Chairman of the council. This is confirmed during the council’s first Board Meeting of the COA 2025 – 26 post completion of their COA elections held in December 2024.

Mr. Rajesh Rokde, from the esteemed Rokde Jewellers in Nagpur, upholds a remarkable legacy of over 100 years in the jewellery industry. Representing the Large Retailers category in GJC, he has distinguished himself through an unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer trust-the hallmarks of his family’s renowned brand. His proactive leadership as Vice Chairman and Legal Committee Convener has significantly benefited the jewellery industry by addressing critical issues such as GST for the Gems and Jewellery sector, import duty, hallmarking, 411, and many other pivotal matters. He has made numerous representations to government officials to resolve these challenges, and his timely actions have consistently brought positive outcomes for the industry. Mr. Rajesh Rokde, a stalwart in the jewellery industry with decades of experience, takes over as the Chairman. Known for his visionary leadership and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector, Mr. Rokde aims to drive initiatives that will strengthen the domestic market, promote innovation, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian jewellery.

Mr. Rajesh Rokde, Chairman GJC, stated, “I am deeply honoured to take on the responsibility of leading GJC at this pivotal time. The Indian gem and jewellery industry stands at the cusp of transformation, and it is our mission to work collectively towards sustainable growth, increased consumer trust, and greater recognition on the global stage. I look forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders to achieve our shared vision.”

Mr Avinash Gupta, based in Hyderabad from Mamraj Mussadilal Jewellers is a renowned personality of the Gems and Jewellery Industry and over many years, he has played a pivotal role in GJC during his tenure 2016-2022.His pro active approach in legal and compliance issues has benefitted industry a lot for example GST for Gems and Jewellery Industry, Import Duty and many other critical matters. Mr Gupta has also played a lead role by representing GJC in delegation to Shanghai ,London and Turkey to study Gold Exchanges to setup IIBX and he has been instrumental in many other prominent initiatives of Industry Mr. Avinash Gupta, a respected name in the industry and a long-standing member of GJC, has been elected as the Vice Chairman. Mr. Gupta brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence across the sector.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Avinash Gupta said, “It is a privilege to serve as the Vice Chairman of GJC. Together with Mr. Rokde and our dedicated COA team, I am confident that we can address the challenges faced by the industry and pave the way for new opportunities. Our focus will remain on driving ethical practices, embracing technological advancements, and ensuring the growth of small and medium enterprises in this sector.”

Outgoing Chairman, Mr. Saiyam Mehra, who will now take the position as Immediate Past Chairman, also shared his thoughts on the leadership transition, stating, “It has been an incredible journey serving as the Chairman of GJC. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, from championing the interests of the industry to driving initiatives that have strengthened GJC and our community. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Rajesh Rokde and Mr. Avinash Gupta, and I am confident that their leadership will take GJC to new heights. I will continue to support the Council and the industry in every possible way.”

The new leadership team aims to focus on key areas such as skill development, promoting ‘Make in India’ initiatives, enhancing consumer confidence through transparency, and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders, including artisans, traders, and retailers.

The All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council is committed to its role as a catalyst for growth and a unifying voice for the industry. Under the able leadership of Mr. Rajesh Rokde and Mr. Avinash Gupta, GJC is poised to usher in a new era of progress and innovation.

In December 2024, GJC successfully conducted their COA Elections, wherein the members of the GJC Committee of Administration (COA) for the term 2025-26 are as follows:

• Mr. Rajesh Rokde (Chairman & Zonal Chairman – West) – Large Retailer, West Zone
• Mr. Avinash Gupta (Vice Chairman & Zonal Chairman – South) – Larger Wholesaler, South Zone
• Mr. Saiyam Mehra (Immediate Past Chairman) – Large Wholesaler, West Zone
• Dr. Ravi Kapoor (Zonal Chairman – North) – Large Retailer, North Zone
• Mr. Sunil Poddar (Zonal Chairman – East) – Medium Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone
• Mr. Amit Jindal (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, North Zone
• Mr. Amit Kumar Soni (COA Member) – Small Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone
• Mr. Ashok Kumar Jain (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, South Zone
• Mr. Gurjeet Singh (COA Member) – Small Retailer, North Zone
• Mr. HM Sultan Mohideen (COA Member) – Small Retailer, South Zone
• Mr. Madan Kothari (COA Member) – Small Manufacturer Jewellery, West Zone
• Mr. Nilesh S. Shobhawat (COA Member) – Small & Medium Wholesaler, West Zone
• Mr. Ravi Prakash Agarwal (COA Member) – Small Retailer, North Zone
• Mr. Rupesh Tambi (COA Member) – Small & Medium Wholesaler, North Zone
• Mr. Sahil Mehra (COA Member) – Medium Manufacturer Jewellery, West Zone
• Mr. Salim Daginawala (COA Member) – Large Retailer, West Zone
• Mr. Samar Kumar De (COA Member) – Medium Retailer, East Zone
• Mr. Siddharth Sawansukha (COA Member) – Large Manufacturer Jewellery, East Zone
• Mr. Sourav Roy (COA Member) – Small Retailer, East Zone
• Mr. Suyash Agrawal (COA Member) – Small & Medium Manufacturer Silver Jewellery, West Zone
• Mr. Vardhaman Kothari (COA Member) – Small Retailer, West Zone

6th January 2025  Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India  Kalimark, the iconic South Indian brand renowned for its Bovonto soft drink, has kicked off the new year with the launch of juice beverages and premium-grade dal products. This expansion strengthens its portfolio of non-carbonated beverages as the 100+ year-old company takes a bold step toward establishing itself as a major player in the food products industry.

The new ready-to-drink Kalimark Frutang fruit beverages are mango and apple juices, and a chili-guava juice, all priced at Rs. 12 for a 200 ml PET bottle. Additionally, the company has introduced premium-grade urad and toor dal, available in 1 kg packages.

The Kalimark Group of Companies is now helmed by fourth-generation entrepreneurs from the founding family, dedicated to upholding the legacy of its visionary founder, Shri. P.V.S.K. Palaniappa Nadar. Honouring his contributions, the company has unveiled a bronze statue of its founder at its state-of-the-art, 9-acre fully automated manufacturing facility in Sri City.

Established in 1916 with a handful of cola products, including the iconic Bovonto, Kalimark has grown into a leader in the beverage industry, offering 25 products across various soft drink categories. It dominates the market in panneer soda and non-caffeine carbonated beverages. The company’s non-beverage product portfolio now includes sunflower oil, flavored milk, and wafers, showcasing its commitment to meeting evolving consumer needs.

Commenting on the new launches, Mr. J. Ramesh, Managing Director of Kalis Sparkling Water Pvt. Ltd., Kali Aerated Water Works Pvt. Ltd., and Palaniunna Foods Pvt Ltd, said, “We are thrilled to expand into flavorful fruit beverages and premium dal products. This expansion is in line with our vision of becoming a leading food products company in South India. With our deep understanding of the market, a robust distribution network, and cutting-edge technology, we are confident in meeting customers’ expectations.”

He added, “Our beverages are rich in vitamins and stand out for their uniqueness. Notably, our guava and chili use pink guava and the blend is first-of-its-kind in the organised sector. Our juice beverages are preservative-free and produced in a fully automated, temperature-controlled environment, guaranteeing an untouched and hygienic process. As for our dal products, we employ a double-sortex process to ensure uniform grain size with no mixing. The grains are unpolished, maintaining their natural color, rich taste, and nutritional benefits, including protein and dietary fiber. Our dal passes rigorous chemical and cooking tests to meet the highest quality standards.”

6th January 2025  Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India  The Hotel Management and Culinary Arts students of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute (a deemed-to-be university) clinched an impressive 60 gold medals in the bakery competitions at the India Bakery Expo 2024, recently organised by the Tamil Nadu Bakers’ Federation in Chennai.

Nearly 40 students from the B.A. Culinary Arts and B.Sc. Hotel Management & Catering Technology programs participated in the three-day event, one of the largest bakery expos and competitions in South India. The students secured 19 gold medals in the Dry Cakes & Cookies category, 14 in European Breads & Viennoiserie, and 27 in the Wedding Cake category, competing against hundreds of students from over 25 institutions across South India. The judging panel featured prominent bakers, chefs, and business leaders from the hospitality industry.

In his comments, Mr. A.C.S. Arun Kumar, President, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, said, “The India Bakery Expo is a true celebration of Tamil Nadu’s rich baking heritage and culinary diversity, drawing thousands of bakers, enthusiasts, and industry professionals from across the state and beyond. We are thrilled that our students had the opportunity to showcase their exceptional talent at this prestigious event, earning an impressive haul of gold medals across various bakery competition categories. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that most of our medal-winning students are in their first year. With expert guidance from our dedicated and talented bakery faculty, they equipped themselves and presented an impressive array of traditional and contemporary baked goods, including innovative fusion creations.”

He further highlighted that the event provided students with a valuable platform to network, exchange ideas, and interact with renowned bakers, chefs, hospitality business leaders, and others from the vibrant regional baking community. Students also actively participated in interactive workshops and seminars on the latest baking trends while exploring a wide range of baking equipment and supplies.

The Faculty of Hotel Management and Culinary Arts at Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute offers comprehensive programs, including B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Hotel Management & Catering Technology, B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, B.A. in Culinary Arts, and M.A. in Indian Cuisine and Food Culture.