Veteran Kirtibhai K. Doshi, one of the senior-most members of the diamond industry, was felicitated at a grand function organised by the Gemmological Institute of India (GII) on his retirement from the post of Chairman GII which he has held since the founding of the organisation. Kirtibhai has been nominated as Chairman Emeritus of GII in addition to being Chairman Emeritus of Shrenuj & Co.

On behalf of the diamond industry, Kirtibhai was presented a Memento by Chief Guest Arunbhai Mehta of Rosy Blue, and current GII Chairman Bakul Mehta. Also present on the occasion were Presiding Guest Vipul Shah, Chairman GJEPC and Guest of Honour Anoop Mehta, President BDB, as well as Arvindbhai Parikh, Rajendrabhai Shah and other stalwarts from the industry.

From 1965, he along with other far sighted members of the trade such as Rajendrakumar A. Shah, Himmatbhai C. Jhaveri, Late Padmakant H. Jhaveri and Late Pravin M. Nanavati commenced efforts to set up a gemmological institute in the country which led to the foundation of GII in 1971.

Born in 1922 at Palanpur, Kirtibhai entered the diamond business as a 20-year old to assist his father Kalidas Sankalchand Doshi. He is a pioneer of the diamond and gemstone business in India and a visionary who has been involved not only in his own family business, Shrenuj & Co, but in founding a number of industry bodies beginning in the mid 1950s.

Besides GII, Kirtibhai also played a key role in the formation of the Precious Stone Importers Association, Diamond Exporters Association Ltd. and The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.