Lights, Camera, Action…the Rotunda Hall of Kolkata illuminated the moment Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath and West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattarcharjee were seated at the venue to address the eagerly awaited star studded 33rd Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Annual Awards Function, on November 25, 2006. Held at Rotunda Hall, beautifully designed in the shape of a diamond, the event was a hit right from the beginning. Beauty of diamonds and exotic flowers that decked up the venue was fascinating.
Quite a rare sight though, the security at the venue was worth appreciating. Right from the trained dogs to electronic gadgets, security was taken care of at every nook and corner, as not only the Minister for Commerce & Industry- Kamal Nath and CM West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee but also the ace exporters of the country who turned up at the function were VVIPs.
Commencing at 12 noon the function was inaugurally addressed by the Chairman of the GJEPC, Sanjay Kothari impressed with the meritorious performance of the IT sector Kothari suggested that IITs should start contributing to the precious sector.

Kothari said, “The Council offers its heartiest congratulations to stalwarts of the gems and jewellery industry for their outstanding exports performance. It is an honor for the Council to reward those who have won the laurels for the Indian gems and jewellery industry.
For those of you who wonder why this event took place in Kolkata, Sanjay Kothari revealed that this year Kolkata has really done well in exports of jewellery and now emphasis is being laid on making it a hub for jewellery industry.
Emphasizing that Kolkata should be developed as a prime jewellery export centre, Kamal Nath observed, “Gems and jewellery exports have emerged as a key factor in India's objective of doubling the country's percentage share in global merchandise trade by 2009 and for generating employment opportunities. I congratulate the Council and all the export award winners. I am sure they would keep up the endeavour to excel in future also.”
A visibly elated C.M. Buddhadeb Bhattarcharjee expressed in his speech, “Being the CM of West Bengal, is really a pleasure for me today to host an event of such magnitude. It is very pleasing to see the way gems and jewellery industry is being boosted in Kolkata. I wish all the winners and the Council a very best of luck and hope that they would reach greater heights in future.”
Other important dignitaries present at the occasion were Pankaj Parekh Chairman Eastern region GJEPC, Vasant Mehta Vice Chairman GJEPC and Kanubhai Shah; Convener awards sub committee.%%Besides Mumbai some Council Executive Members from the Pink City had also flown down especially for the event. They included Rajiv Jain, Vijay Chordia, Nirmal Bardiya, Sudhir Kasliwal and Umesh Gupta.
Not only did the invitees poured in from the jewellery sector but the event also attracted invitees from various collaborating sectors including banks like ABN-AMRO, SBI plus people from designing institutes, commerce ministry and also foreign guests.
Compering the entire function skillfully, Madhumanti Maitra concluded the speech session and switched over the program to the award giving ceremony, which started at around 1 p.m. reverberating with laud laughter, applause and photo flashes.
Besides the Diamond World Media team okaying the program as well organized compared to the last year, some visitors' also shared our view.
S.C. Rajgopalan, Manager SBI said, “This year the program is very well organized. Last year there was hurry and confusion. It is really a pleasure to attend this time.”
The well-attended ceremonial afforded moments of pride and honor, moments of jubilation and achievement and above all moments of recognition not just for the award winners but also for the entire precious sector and the dynamic nation that is emerging as a niche centre for gems and jewellery.
The awards function was followed by a speech on 'Vision 2015 for the Indian jewellery industry' by KPMG.

After the ceremony, all the guests gathered for a sumptuous lunch organized by the Council.