GJC’s Labham seminar scheduled on 20th July at Lucknow promises to be a true game changer for the industry
Lucknow: The All-India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), India’s apex body representing over 6 lakh jewellers, kickstarts its Northern outreach with a high-impact Jewellers Meet and Labham Seminar in Lucknow. Themed “Growing Your Business on Autopilot,” the event was held at Hotel Lineage on 20th July 2025. The event witnessed participation from leading retailers and trade associations across the region.
The event featured GJC’s top leadership: Rajesh Rokde (Chairman – GJC), Avinash Gupta (Vice Chairman – GJC), Vardhman (Ashish) Kothari (Director & Labham Convener – GJC), Rajan Rastogi (Zonal Committee Member – GJC), Ravindra Nath Rastogi (President – Lucknow Sarafa Association), Pradeep Agarwal (General Secretary – Lucknow Sarafa Association) and Shivaram (Chief Consultant – Trainer, Retail Gurukul). In association with the Lucknow Sarafa Association, the session drew an enthusiastic response from jewellers eager to adopt scalable business models.
The seminar spotlighted GJC’s upcoming national initiatives that aim to drive growth, leadership, and recognition across the jewellery industry. These include Lucky Lakshmi, a festive retail campaign designed to boost consumer confidence and enhance jewellery sales. Lucky Lakshmi is scheduled from 22nd September to 9th November 2025 across India to incentivise and encourage end consumers to invest more in the Gems & Jewellery industry.
GJC’s flagship event, the India Gem & Jewellery Show (GJS) — India’s premier B2B jewellery exhibition — scheduled from 16th to 19th September 2025 in Mumbai, also promises to be an apt opportunity for jewellers to stock up before the Lucky Lakshmi scheme begins.
This year, GJC has also initiated GEMLEAD, a high-impact leadership development program curated in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, taking place from 5th to 7th September 2025 in Ahmedabad, and the 14th edition of the National Jewellery Awards (NJA 2025), set for 17th September, which honours exceptional talent, creativity, and innovation in the Indian jewellery sector.
Rajesh Rokde, Chairman of GJC, said: “Our industry is going through a huge transformation phase, and GJC, being the apex body, is working hard on its motto to Protect, Promote, and Progress the industry. We are also requesting the Government to restart the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), as GJC already has a complete executable roadmap in place. Also, with the support of the Maharashtra Government, jewellers have received much-needed relief under BNS Section 317. We now aim to initiate similar efforts in Uttar Pradesh by working closely with the State Government. I am here in Lucknow specifically to address these legal concerns firsthand and to guide local jewellers on how to navigate such challenges with greater clarity, support, and preparedness.”
Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman of GJC, added: “Our vision with Lucky Lakshmi is to rebuild and reinforce consumer trust. This campaign gives jewellers a powerful platform to attract festive buyers while aligning with transparency and ethics. After 20 years of serving the trade, it’s a timely reminder of our responsibility to both jewellers and consumers. Through initiatives like Lucky Lakshmi, the National Jewellery Awards (NJA), and our leadership development programme GEMLEAD in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, GJC continues to invest in the long-term growth of the industry — from grassroots to leadership.”
Vardhman (Ashish) Kothari, Labham Convener, said: “Labham is a transformative toolkit designed to empower jewellery retailers with cutting-edge solutions for business excellence. Labham equips jewellers with practical systems to optimize operations, enhance customer engagement, and drive sustainable growth, while also ensuring tranparency and compliances that is required. Each year, we shall be orgnaising more than 40 Labham Seminar across India to empower the jewellers.”
The Labham seminar in Kanpur held on 19th July received an overwhelming response, with a large number of jewellers in attendance and actively engaging with the session. The strong participation highlighted the industry’s growing interest in structured learning and reaffirmed GJC’s commitment to empowering the trade through meaningful initiatives.
Rajan Rastogi (Zonal Committee Member – GJC), shared:”The Labham seminar in Lucknow, organised in collaboration with the Lucknow Sarafa Association, is a valuable opportunity for jewellers to learn, exchange ideas, and strengthen business practices. Mr. Ravindra Nath Rastogi President Lucknow Sarafa Association rendered his unconditional support for organising this event at Lucknow. Alongside initiatives like GJS and Lucky Lakshmi, GJC remains focused on driving progress and building trust across the industry”
All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council is a national trade Council established with the objective to address the industry, its functioning and its cause with a 360° approach to promote and progress its growth, while protecting the industry’s interests. As a self-regulated trade body, GJC, since the last 20 years, has been serving as a bridge between the Government and the trade as well as undertaking various initiatives on behalf of and for the industry. GJC represents the interests of over 6 lakh gem and jewellery businesses from across the country. GJC represents various industry segments such as Manufacturers, Retailers, Wholesalers, Allied, gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, Gem stones, machinery, etc. including the entire industry value chain from bullion to retail.
