The IDCA board of Directors has announced the three distinguished honorees for 2009, namely Retailer of the Year: Fred Meyer Jewelers; Pioneer Award: Navratan Kothari, chairman, KGK Group; and Lifetime Achievement Award: Vasantbhai Sanghavi, chairman Sanghavi Exports Intl. Pvt. and Chandrakant Sanghavi, director, Sanghavi Exports. “As we have done in the past, IDCA is once again proud to honor two outstanding individuals and a leading American retail company.” Haridas Kotahwala, IDCA board president said recently. %% The 2009 IDCA Awards are slated to be presented at a gala diner during the JCK show on May 30, 2009 at the Venetian Hotel. Each of the distinguished winners has been an achiever in their respective spheres of work. Fred Meyers Jewelers. Has since its foundation in 1973, grown significantly. In 1995 is bought over 23 individual jewellery stores in California and Washington; 44 Fox’s Jewelers stores in the Midwest and, recently the prestigious East Coast chain, Littman Jewelers with 123 stores. Fred Meyers Jewelers has become the third largest chain in the US. %% Navratan Kothari is considered a true pioneer in the diamond industry, who began the KGK Group, in the 1960’s and moving it into a global organisation that now operates in 15 countries. The company has two prestigious “DTC Sightholder” companies within the group. Mr. Kothari exemplifies social responsibility through his philanthropic contributions towards cancer patients and advance research, and to expand training and education to more than 18,000 students in India. He also is responsible for helping more than 4,000 students in Jaipur, South Africa and Russia learn the skills needed to enter and advance in the diamond and jewellery business. %% Brothers Vasantbhai and Chandrakant Sanghavi have achieved impressive and numerous feats. Vasantbhai Sanghavi has helped increase the scale of Sanghavi Exports from 15 employees to over 10,000 employees with the status of DTC Sightholder. The company has been accredited as being the top export award winner in India for seven years. Chandrakant Sanghavi has dedicated to fulfilling the vision of the company to be a leader in the cutting, polishing of diamonds and manufacturing of diamond jewelry. He serves in the important position of chairman of the India Diamond Institute as well as regional Chairman of the Gems & Jewelry Exports Promotion Council, and Regional Convener of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.