The Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ), Varanasi, an educational venture of the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) starts its maiden operation in the historical city of art and culture, Varanasi. The premier Gem & Jewellery Institute was Inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath Yogi & Amit Shah, BJP President &Rajya Sabha MP on 20^th January at Varanasi. One year Diploma Courses will commence from January 22nd 2018. The institution seeks to define the underlying spirit of the Diamond and Jewellery industry entrepreneurs that would lead to the founding and reviving of the innovative jewellery design, in eastern India. This initiative of GJEPC is in sync with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Skill India.

GJEPC Chairman Pramod Agarwal says, “This institution would be of immense help to the students in this region as the curriculum are based on a problem-solving design consciousness, linked to learning with actual experience and suggests that the jewellery designer could be a bridge between tradition and modernity. The Project would also be a platform for future jewellery designers to re-examine the alternatives of growth potential in this sector. The courses offered by the institution include one-year Diploma Courses in professional jewellery designing and jewellery manufacturing”.

Amit Shah commented “The world has best possible techniques in the field of gems & jewellery & India boasts of best artisans and skills. By combining the two, we should move further in our endeavors”

Addressing the Gem & Jewellery Fraternity at the Inauguration Ceremony, Shri Yogi said “Through the establishment of this Institute, GJEPC has taken a big step in reviving as well as retaining the traditional art of jewellery making skills in Kashi and surrounding regions.”

Praveenshankar Pandya, Ex-Chairman GJEPC said, “The institute will be providing quality training with appropriate Certification/Diploma to aspiring young students in Jewellery Designing and Manufacturing. Over the years, Varanasi has witnessed fast erosion of skill and talent due to large scale migration of artisans to other sectors for better job prospects. Gulabi Minakari in jewellery is the key strength of Varanasi which would be further enhanced by the skilled training.  With the setting up of Indian Gem & Jewellery Institute in Varanasi, the aim is to revive our age-old artistic skills and its upgradation to match world standards. IIGJ would help increase and enhance the skill of karigars/minakars in Varanasi which would further significantly boost the total exports of gems and jewellery products from Varanasi and its adjoining area. I want more and more youths from this region to take this opportunity and make a career in this flourishing jewellery export industry.”

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), along with like-minded jewellery Industry business men and together with Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery, Mumbai, selected to set up the educational outlet in this city of enlightenment which is one of the oldest cities in the world.  IIGJ Varanasi’s aim would be to revive the traditional art for the betterment of the people of Varanasi and adjoining areas. The traditional arts have till now stood the test of time. However, it is no secret that the arts and craft have shown a declining trend over the past two decades in this region, after prospering for many centuries. Many traditional arts are now fighting for survival. Amongst many reasons for this decline is the fact that quality Institutes imparting traditional skills have simply disappeared from the city. IIGJ Varanasi shall seek to address this concern.

In a study conducted by NSDC on ‘Human Resources and Skill Requirement in the Gem & Jewellery Industry’ (Annual Survey of Industries and IMaCS analysis), the eastern part of India is very deficient in Gems and Jewellery Industries. One of the major reason for this would be unavailability of trained and skilled workers in this area. This has also retarded the development and growth of Gems and Jewellery Industries in eastern India.

IIGJ Varanasi facility is spread over 6,000 square feet area in Kuber Mall, Rathyatra area of Varanasi. IIGJ Institutes are spread across Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur, in addition to Varanasi . An extension of the Institute in Udupi is also on the anvil.