The jury of the upcoming 41st Indian Gem and Jewellery Awards, met today at Sofitel Hotel at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai to finalise the winners in all categories. The jury members were: Nirupa Bhatt, MD, GIA (India & Middle East), M Narendra, former CMD, Indian overseas bank and Pawan Bindal, Director, Dun & Bradstreet.%% The awards are known to appreciate the meritorious performers of gem and jewellery industry on basis of their export performance, value additions, R&D, amongst others. 35 awards categories have been deliberated out of which five are felicitation awards. This year a new category has been introduced namely 'First Generation Entrepreneurs'. %% Nirupa Bhatt informed, "The number of participants has increased by 15 per cent and the process has improved since last year. I still feel that the council can invest more efforts in raising awareness about the awards and having a sort of a guidance document to help participants understand the ways to present themselves to the jury. The aim of these awards is to raise the level of the industry as a whole. They don't talk more about design aspect but more of the business and the societal values added." %% The GJEPC has a total of 5700 hundred members out of which, 2600 are exporting and only 10% of the total exporters have participated in these awards. The hope for the future is that more and more GJEPC members participate and help the industry to raise the level. The award ceremony will take place on October 10 at the NCPA.