We must say that shaping this list was not easy. We were little conscious at the same time apprehensive of what should be the parameters for influential people in this list. What makes people influential? Is it the power that they have on the people around them? Is it the amount of wealth that they have amassed? Or is it the manner in which they have shaped their businesses or their decisions? What could it be? One thing was common in all of them and that is they had broken free of the mould.

While some of them had a strong foundation to work on while some were complete outsiders. Some got success early in life while for some it was quite a long journey. Some have always been lauded for their work while some have received enough flak for their approach to work. However, none of them allowed criticism or setbacks define their path to success.

Each figure in this list is inspirational in its own unique way. Diamond World presents you ‘the list’ for some inspiration. (Presented in no particular order.)

The Pioneer
Anoop Mehta, President, BDB
One can’t miss this familiar face in the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) premises in Mumbai. Anoop Mehta, as a president of the BDB, a post he has held since 2003, has been actively involved in the strategic planning and development of the project and under his stewardship the new bourse complex has become one of the most leading diamond bourses in the world. Initially, it was a mammoth task for him and his team to convince traders to shift to the BDB but looking at the present scenario in bourse, one must say they have been quite successful.

After entering the family run business at a young age, Mehta has been actively involved in the diamond industry for over 30 years. He is a director of Mohit Diamonds. Apart from being associated with the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) for many years, he is also on the committee of the Diamond Exporters Association Limited; Mehta is also one of the board members of WFDB Executive Committee.

Mehta’s remarkable contribution in the diamond industry has ensured that the trade between India and the other countries is strong and effective. Pro-active thinker, visionary and pioneer, Mehta has been instrumental in the growth and development of the BDB and latest trading facilities at the bourse.

In 2014, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest accolades in the global jewellery and gemstone industry and the most esteemed tribute conferred by the JNA Awards, for his significant contributions to the jewellery industry.

Colourstone Specialist
Nirmal Bardiya, Chairman & MD, RMC Gems and President, JJA
Jaipur is known for its colourstone but this man’s efforts have earned it more fame. His company RMC Gems from Jaipur is acclaimed globally for being a highly esteemed gemstone supplier. This is due to its ‘direct from mine to market’ approach. All this has been possible only due to the strong leadership of Nirmal Bardiya. This man’s success shows that to make it big you have to think big.

It was during his tenure that Jewellers Association Show, popularly known as JAS show found its roots. Today, JAS show is one of the top-of-the-line jewellery shows not only on the domestic scene but also on the international scene.

Apart from this, Nirmal Bardiya is the President of JJA. This was the third time that he won the presidential post elections, which shows JJA members’ faith in his leadership and vision. One of the highlights of the election manifesto was prompt development of Gem Bourse in Jaipur; organising the gem stone show in every three month, which would help boost the colourstone trade from Jaipur.

He has also been associated with Vaibhav Global Ltd for over 16 years in the capacity of Director of the company.

Leading Light
Ashok Minawala, Director, Danabhai Jewellers
If in 1974, legendary jewellery house Danabhai Jewellers wasn’t short of resources and Ashok Minawala had not been forced to join the family business, he would have ventured into some engineering related field – and that certainly would have been a loss to the jewellery trade. What was engineering’s loss was the jewellery industry’s gain. Minawala not only went on to become a retailer with a difference, he emerged as one of the leading light of the jewellery industry. He spearheaded the industry through some critical moments, steering the formation of an all India apex body to unite the jewellers. He has emerged as the All India Gem & Jewellery Trade Federation’s (GJF) tallest leader and the most articulate spokesperson.

In the wake of the recent excise duty issue, the Government of India- Ministry of Finance representatives from jewellery trade are nominated as members of the high level subcommittee (imposition VB of Central excise duty on jewellery). Ashok Minawala is one of the members along with Konal Doshi, Past Convenor, Jewellery Panel, GJEPC and Fatehchand Ranka, Chairman, All India Action Committee on Jewellery (AICAJ).

He is indeed an integral part of the industry.

Ruling in the Man’s World
Nirupa Bhatt, MD-India and Middle East, Gemological Institute of America
The gem and jewellery industry in India especially the diamond segment is a Man’s World. But one woman has successfully made a mark in this industry - Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director, India and Middle East, Gemological Institute of America. Nirupa Bhatt has been part of the worldwide gem and jewellery industry for over two decades. She has enormous experience and knowledge in the gems and jewellery value chain, starting from mining to the diamond cutting to the jewellery manufacturing and retail. She has worked strongly with jewellery manufacturers and retailers, helping them source, brand and promote products.

Her journey started with Argyle (now RIO TINTO). Later she was appointed as the Managing Director India & Middle East, GIA. Part of the Governing Board of Directors of the GJF, she is the founder President of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) chapter in India. She has achieved several prestigious awards in the course of her career including the Women’s Jewellery Association’s (WJA) ‘Award for Excellence’ under the category of Special Services & Education etc. in the past. She is the one who brought WJA to India and it has more than 100 members till date which is no less than an achievement. The entire industry looks up to this vivacious persona as a guiding mentor and a source of inspiration.

Way to Go Woman!

Knowledge Galore
Anil Talwar, Managing Partner, Talwarsons Jewellers; Co-Chairman for the Gem and Jewellery Committee (FICCI)
Anil Talwar, a veteran in the gems and jewellery industry is the Managing partner at Talwarsons Jewellers and Co-Chairman for the Gem and Jewellery Committee (FICCI). The Talwar family has been in the jewellery retail trade for more than six generations and Anil Talwar’s ambitious devotion and intuitive vision has pushed the business towards the successful heights. Talwarsons Jewellers happens to be one of the oldest jewellery retailers in North India. Anil, in fact, is the seventh generation of the family.

He is an absolute encyclopedia on the jewellery business and the various jewellery making styles throughout India. He has put this knowledge to exceptional use through writing. “Most of these articles are aimed at disseminating correct information about jewellery to the consumers. Anil is a strong supporter of traditional jewellery making and craftsmanship. He travels extensively in the country and sources masterpieces from master craftsmen and designers from various regions to maintain the authenticity of each piece. Only original masterpieces created by the craftsmen of the region make their way to the Talwarsons collection of exquisite jewellery – this is his attempt to ensure that the age old traditions of jewellery making in India remain intact to some extent.

He was also one of the founding members of the GJF. He was initially part of the Governing Board of Directors and then was elevated to the prestigious Senior Board of Directors. He is also the co-chairman of gem and jewellery committee, FICCI.

Veteran like him play an important role in nurturing the future of the industry.

On a Blitzkrieg
T. S. Kalyanaraman, Chairman & MD, Kalyan Jewellers
He is an Indian businessman best known as the Chairman and Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers and Kalyan Developers. He started his first jewellery shop named Kalyan Jewellers in Thrissur City in 1993 with a capital of Rs. 7.5 million. Today, Kalyan Jewellers is one of the largest jewellery retailers in the country with a turnover of Rs. 10,000 crore. In March 2013, Forbes Magazine's latest annual tally of billionaires has listed Kalyanaraman in 1342th position with a net worth of $1 billion (Rs. 54 billion).

Kalyan Jewellers has the largest footprint of stores around 94 across the country. Its growth was so fast that Warburg Pincus, the New York-based private equity fund, with $35 billion assets under management, decided to invest Rs. 1,200 crore in the retailer in 2014 for a minority stake but Kalyan Jewellers was already close to Rs. 9,500 crore, in 2014 and the company was growing with a healthy gross margin of 10 per cent on its revenues. The company has 650 MyKalyan stores, which are based in more than 100 Indian cities, to reach out to customers for support and service. It plans to take its large format stores to 150 in three years. As part of its global expansion it has around 20 stores in the Gulf Region.

T.S. Kalyanaraman is truly captivating the market at the speed of light.

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