Minister Aditi Tatkare Inaugurates Event Showcasing Innovation, Legacy and Youth-Driven Growth
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, launched the InnovNXT 40 Under 40 initiative on June 25 in Mumbai, celebrating young visionaries who represent the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry. The conference, supported by the World Gold Council (Presenting Partner), Godrej (Associate Partner), and DSP Mutual Fund (Co-Partner), brought together dynamic entrepreneurs, disruptors, and thinkers for a day of exchange, insight, and inspiration.
Smt. Aditi Sunil Tatkare, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, inaugurated the event alongside GJEPC Chairman Shri Kirit Bhansali, Regional Chairman (Western Region) Smt. Khushboo Ranawat, World Gold Council’s India CEO Shri Sachin Jain, and GJEPC National Exhibitions Convener Shri Nirav Bhansali.
In her inaugural remarks, Minister Tatkare praised GJEPC’s vision in fostering new talent, urging the young leaders to honour tradition while driving innovation. Shri Govind Dholakia, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), addressed the audience virtually, encouraging resilience and values-led leadership.
The InnovNXT 40 Under 40 conference featured high-impact sessions reflecting the changing dynamics of the industry — from IPO strategies to women’s leadership, gold price volatility, and the impact of technology and sustainability.
The opening session, From Brand Building to Wealth Creation, featured leaders like Saurabh Gadgil (PN Gadgil & Sons), Tehmasp Printer (IGI), and Ashish Shankar (Motilal Oswal), moderated by Anisha Jain. Speakers discussed the strategic considerations behind going public, emphasising the importance of a differentiated brand narrative, long-term financial planning, and the evolving role of corporate governance.
Insights shared highlighted that an IPO must align with a company’s growth vision, requiring strategic clarity, robust financial understanding, and careful scaling — often starting regionally and expanding with cultural awareness. Participants also noted the industry’s growing need to balance between natural and lab-grown diamond narratives.
In the second session, Women in Jewellery: Breaking Barriers, Breaking Legacy, panellists Khushboo Ranawat (Swarnshilp Chains & Jewellers), Richa Singh (National Diamond Council), and Varuna Jani (Varuna D Jani Fine Jewellery) reflected on the evolving role of women in the sector.
They discussed how women bring intuition, empathy, and consumer insight to design and business strategies. The conversation touched on empowerment, collaboration, and balancing legacy with innovation. With women increasingly assuming leadership roles, the panel called for inclusive growth, ethical transparency, and partnerships that value both artisans and modern business practices.
The third session, Gold as a Safe Haven, featured insights from Sachin Jain (World Gold Council), K. Srinivasan (Emerald Group), Darpan Anand (Punjab Jewellers), Shekhar Bhandari (Kotak Mahindra Bank), and Sabyasachi Ray (GJEPC).
Speakers underscored gold’s enduring appeal as a long-term investment and its emerging relevance in technology and healthcare. While acknowledging the shift in younger generations’ spending habits, the panel reaffirmed gold’s cultural and financial significance. Discussions also highlighted GJEPC’s initiatives like Project Swarnim Udaan 2047 and efforts to create India's first innovation centre for gold jewellery, aligning with national goals under Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event served as a clarion call for the industry’s next chapter — one driven by innovation, sustainability, and ethical growth. GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali noted that young leaders are already redefining the industry with values-driven change. Convener Nirav Bhansali emphasised the urgency of embracing bold thinking, stating that InnovNXT is not just a seminar but a launchpad for industry transformation.
With youth at the helm and a strong ecosystem of mentors and partners, the InnovNXT 40 Under 40 initiative is poised to shape a resilient and future-forward Indian gem and jewellery sector.
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