The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) held the 11th edition of Jewellers for Hope in Mumbai on 6 August 2026, bringing together leading figures from India’s gem and jewellery industry to raise funds for education. The event was attended by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and actor and philanthropist Madhuri Dixit.

## ₹11 Crore Raised Across 16 Organisations

Held at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, the annual CSR initiative brought together industry leaders, retailers, banking partners, government representatives and philanthropists.

Established in 2014, Jewellers for Hope has raised more than ₹11 crore over 11 editions, supporting more than 16 organisations across India. The initiative has funded programmes covering girl child education, healthcare, tribal welfare, sanitation, child trafficking rescue, disability support, maternal care, mental health services and armed forces welfare.

The 2026 edition was presented in association with De Beers Group and the World Gold Council, powered by GIA, with HRD Antwerp as Co-Partner.

## Education as the 2026 Focus

Funds raised during this year’s initiative will be channelled through the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF), the industry foundation established in 1999.

The funds will support education and provide long-term assistance for the educational needs of children over the next three to four years. The contribution was formally received by Shri Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJNRF.

GJEPC Chairman Shri Kirit Bhansali said that giving back to society has remained an important value for the industry, adding that the organisation’s CSR initiatives aim to support communities and programmes that create lasting impact.

## Industry and Government Leaders Attend

Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly and Chief Guest, said Jewellers for Hope demonstrates how an industry can come together around a shared responsibility towards society. He also congratulated GJEPC and the wider gem and jewellery fraternity for sustaining the initiative for more than a decade.

Senior representatives attending the event included GJEPC Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikh; Convener – Accounts & Finance Anil Virani; Convener, PM&BD Ashish Borda; Convener, Events Mansukh Kothari; Sabyasachi Ray of GJEPC; Shweta Harit, Senior Vice President, De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark; Sachin Jain, CEO, World Gold Council; Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India; and Paul De Wachter, CEO, HRD Antwerp.

## Madhuri Dixit Joins the Initiative

Madhuri Dixit, who attended the event as a guest, spoke about the importance of philanthropy and the impact of initiatives that bring people together to support social causes.

She said Jewellers for Hope reflects a commitment to giving back to society and expressed hope that the initiative would encourage further acts of generosity.

## Dinner with an Icon Auction

The evening also featured the Dinner with an Icon auction, with guests bidding for the opportunity to spend an evening with Dr. Saurabh Gadgil.

All funds raised through the auction were donated to Access Life, an NGO supported by Madhuri Dixit that works with children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

Jewellers for Hope continues to serve as GJEPC’s flagship CSR initiative, with the 2026 edition placing education at the centre of its fundraising efforts.