India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), along with the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), organised a free vaccination drive for artisans of the diamond industry on 19th July, 2021.
GJEPC invited Apollo Hospitals, an integrated healthcare services provider, to administer the vaccination drive. The Borivali Diamond Cutters and Polishers Association provided the venue and logistics support to organise the event.
5,000 artisans are expected to be vaccinated in the first stage of this drive that is supported by the WFDB.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest for the event, Vinod Ghosalkar, Chairman of the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board, said, “This is an important step taken by the industry associations to vaccinate the artisans of the diamond industry, and in a way, it is helping the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s vision to achieve its goal of vaccinating the entire population of the state at the earliest. The diamond sector has the potential to generate more jobs for the people of Mumbai and I would certainly appeal to the State Government to facilitate and create a conducive environment for the growth of the diamond sector in Mumbai.”
Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Time is of the essence; ensuring our artisans are vaccinated at the earliest is our topmost priority. This would not only help them to live a normal life but will also allow the diamond units to function at full capacity, as we have been witnessing demand for gems and jewellery from all major export markets. I would like to thank the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation for all their support in organising this vaccination drive.”
Yoram Dvash, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, said, “We are extremely gratified that the WFDB’s Diamond Aid campaign has enabled the vaccination of thousands of diamond workers in the Mumbai area. We launched the Diamond Aid campaign out of a deep sense of mutual responsibility for the diamond community worldwide. Through our efforts, we were able to mobilize the support of large parts of the diamond and jewellery world and to raise tens of thousands of dollars for this cause. We thank all of our donors, as well as the BDB, the GNJRF and the GJEPC for making this vaccination drive a reality.”
Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJNRF, said, “The support of international diamond organisations has revealed the humane face of our industry and shows that they care for our artisans. At this difficult time, GJNRF has been approached by domestic and international partners offering help. This initiative is a combined effort of the whole diamond industry as WFDB is a global organisation that covers all diamantaires around the world. With support from our partners, GJNRF has been doing everything possible in the fight against Covid-19. I would like to thank WFDB for funding this Covid Vaccination drive, and GJEPC for taking the lead in organising this drive.”
