Sanjay Kothari (c) after receiving the award
from Nirupa Bhatt (on his l)

Sanjay A. Kothari of Diatrends and  Kunal Diamonds received the “Industry Crusader Award” at the Retail Jewellers Guild Awards 2015 organised by UBM India at the Lalit, New Delhi on September 27, 2015. The award, under the Jury’s Choice category, was presented by Ms. Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director, India & Middle East, GIA, who also headed the Jury that selected him for the honour.

Accompanying the award was the following citation that described Kothari’s unique role and contribution to the industry: “He is one of the most prominent personalities of the Gem & Jewellery Industry not only in India but across the globe. He has devoted most of his time and energy for the growth of the gem & jewellery industry.  Much credit for the growth of this industry goes to his efforts and contribution.”

Sanjaybhai, as he is popularly known in the industry has been the Chairman of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) for multiple terms. He has also headed the IIJS and the Promotion, Marketing & Business Development (PMBD) Sub-committees of the Council on different occasions. He was also instrumental in conceptualising and launching the hugely popular India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) in Mumbai.

At the global level, Sanjaybhai has been active in various international trade bodies, has spoken at international conference and is currently on the Board of the World Diamond Mark, a global platform established by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) for the promotion of diamonds across international markets.