The Jewellery World Awards (JWA) awarded KGK Group chair Navrattan Kothari with the Jewellery World Awards’ highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award, for the year 2021 on 21 February in Dubai in the presence of industry stalwarts. Mr. Kothari has been working persistently in the industry since the 1960s, not only to raise the KGK Group but also to inspire excellence in the jewellery and gemstone sector. He is a pioneer in the sector, and his experience and knowledge have made a significant contribution.
The KGK Group was founded in Jaipur, India, in 1905, with the aim of trading gemstones between India and Burma. With a global presence across 17 countries today, the group has evolved into one of the most preferred brands in the gems and jewellery realm. KGK has emerged as one of the few conglomerates covering the entire spectrum of mining, sourcing, manufacturing, and distributing coloured stones, diamonds, and jewellery for over a century. Mr. Kothari has been the driving force behind the expansion of his family’s gemstone trading company into a worldwide conglomerate.
KGK Group is also actively engaged in numerous philanthropic endeavours, assisting those in need in the community and helping uplift society. He is a firm believer in the power of morals and always stands by the same. For him, giving back to society is dharma.
He adapted the same as his way of life. Mr. Kothari donates and contributes to social causes as he believes that “It’s difficult to be born as a human being. If you are not able to help others, it’s a sheer wastage of life.” He also started Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur in 1996 as it was his lifelong mission to help as many people as possible.
From left – Mr. David Bondi, senior vice president, Informa Markets; Mr. Navrattan Kothari, KGK Group; Mr. Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC
The excitement doubled when, at the same ceremony, KGK Group also received Manufacturer of the Year Award for its diamond operations. KGK’s growth strategies in the diamond sector have always emphasised inclusive growth, paving a success path for many. “We constantly evolved ourselves and our business to transform the system in which business itself is conducted,” said Mr Kothari.
“Receiving recognition from JWA will surely be an actuator to move forward with greater determination and momentum, keeping the identified philosophy and goals in view. It further encourages us to remain conveners for progressive discussion and collaborators for winning partnerships, resulting in positive business as well as social and environmental impact at scale.”
The award ceremony held at JGT Dubai (Jewellery Gem Technology Dubai) was followed by a gala dinner which was attended by the leaders of the industry.
The KGK Group has operations and offices active in Asia, Australia, North and South America, Europe, and Africa. With years of hard work and fore vision, it has achieved the vertically integrated standing of mines-to-brands in the gems and jewellery industry.