GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope 2026 Raises Funds to Support Education; Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Madhuri Dixit Grace Industry’s Flagship CSR Initiative

11th edition takes total contributions past ₹11 crore across 16 organisations
Mumbai, 9 August 2026: The Indian gem and jewellery industry came together in Mumbai on 6th August for the 11th edition of Jewellers for Hope, the flagship CSR initiative of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), presented in association with De Beers Group and the World Gold Council, powered by GIA, with HRD Antwerp as Co-Partner.
Shri Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly, was Chief Guest for the evening, joined by actor and philanthropist Ms. Madhuri Dixit.
Also present were Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Anil Virani, Convener – Accounts & Finance, GJEPC; Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener, PM&BD, GJEPC; Mr. Mansukh Kothari, Convener, Events, GJEPC; Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, GJPEC; Ms. Shweta Harit, Senior Vice President, De Beers Group, and CEO of Forevermark; Mr. Sachin Jain, CEO, World Gold Council; Mr. Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India; and Mr. Paul De Wachter, CEO, HRD Antwerp, along with other senior industry leaders.
Held at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, the evening brought together industry leaders, retailers, banking partners, government dignitaries and philanthropists.
Established in 2014, Jewellers for Hope is GJEPC’s signature CSR initiative. Over eleven editions, it has channelled more than ₹11 crore to over 16 organisations across the country, supporting girl child education, healthcare, tribal welfare, sanitation, the rescue of children from trafficking, disability support, maternal care, mental health services and armed forces welfare.
Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said: “Giving back has always been an integral part of our industry’s values. Through Jewellers for Hope and the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation, we have stood beside communities in times of need and

supported initiatives that transform lives. The continued generosity of our members inspires us to strengthen this legacy and build an industry that is admired not only for its craftsmanship but also for its compassion and service to society.”
Shri Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly, said: “Jewellers for Hope is a wonderful example of how an industry can come together with a shared sense of responsibility towards society. Initiatives like these remind us that true success is measured not only by business achievements but also by the positive impact we create in people’s lives. I congratulate GJEPC and the entire gem and jewellery fraternity for sustaining this meaningful initiative for over a decade and inspiring many others to contribute towards nation-building through compassion and collective action.”
The evening acquired an unmistakable touch of cinematic elegance with the arrival of Ms. Madhuri Dixit. Revered across generations for her artistry and grace, she also brought with her a deep and long-standing commitment to philanthropy — particularly in the areas of child welfare, women’s empowerment and education.
Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Madhuri Dixit said: “I’ve always believed that true success is measured not only by our achievements but by the lives we touch. Jewellers for Hope reflects that spirit beautifully by bringing together people who are committed to giving back to society. I congratulate GJEPC and the entire gem and jewellery fraternity for creating such a meaningful platform, and I hope this evening inspires many more acts of kindness and generosity.”
This year, the funds raised will be channelled through the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) — the industry’s own foundation, established in 1999 — towards supporting education and taking long-term responsibility for the educational needs of children over the next three to four years. The contribution was formally received by Shri Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJNRF.
One of the evening’s most anticipated highlights followed — the Dinner with an Icon auction, where guests bid enthusiastically for the opportunity to spend an evening with Dr. Saurabh Gadgil.
Every rupee raised through the auction went to Access Life, the NGO championed by Ms. Madhuri Dixit, which supports children undergoing cancer treatment and their families — extending the evening’s philanthropic spirit even further.
Jewellers for Hope 2026 was an elegant reminder that while India’s gem and jewellery industry is admired worldwide for what it creates, its most enduring brilliance lies in what it gives.

About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10900+ members in the sector.  With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.

By Sunder M