The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) along with Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) and World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) organised a free vaccination drive for the artisans of the diamond industry on 19^th July 2021.

The program was inaugurated by chief guest Vinod Ghosalkar, Chairman of Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board; Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJNRF; Ashok Gajera, Regional Chairman, (Western Region) GJEPC; Mehul Shah, Vice President, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Rajikant Vallabhai Hirapara, President, Borivali Diamond Cutters & Polishing Association.

GJEPC has roped in Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s foremost integrated healthcare services provider, to administer the vaccination drive. The Borivali Diamond Cutters and Polishers Association provided the venue and logistics support to organise the event.

5000 artisans would be vaccinated in the first stage of this drive that is supported by WFDB.  

Speaking on the occasion chief guest for the event Vinod Ghosalkar, Chairman of Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board said, “This is an important step taken by the industry associations to vaccinate the artisans of diamond industry, and in a way, it is helping the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s vision to achieve its goal of vaccinating the entire population of the state at the earliest. The diamond sector has the potential to generate more jobs for the people of Mumbai and I would certainly appeal to the State Govt. to facilitate and create a conducive environment for the growth of the diamond sector in Mumbai.”

Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “Time is of the essence; ensuring our artisans are vaccinated at the earliest is our topmost priority. This would not only help them to live a normal life but will also allow the diamond units to function at full capacity, as we have been witnessing demand for gems and jewellery from all major export markets. I would like to thank the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation for all the support in organising this vaccination drive.”

Yoram Dvash, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses said, “We are extremely gratified that the WFDB’s Diamond Aid campaign has enabled the vaccination of thousands of diamond workers in the Mumbai area. We launched the Diamond Aid campaign out of a deep sense of mutual responsibility for the diamond community worldwide. Through our efforts, we were able to mobilize the support of large parts of the diamond and jewellery world and to raise tens of thousands of dollars for this cause. We thank all of our donors, as well as the BDB, the GNJRF and the GJEPC for making this vaccination drive a reality.”

Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJNRF commented, “The support of international diamond organisations has revealed the humane face of our industry and shows that they care for our artisans. In this difficult time, GJNRF has been approached by domestic and well international partners offering help. This initiative is a combined effort of the whole diamond industry as WFDB is a global organisation that covers all diamantaires of the world. With support from our partners, GJNRF has been doing everything possible in the fight against Covid-19. I would like to thank WFDB for funding this Covid Vaccination drive, and GJEPC for taking the lead in organising this drive.”