GJNRF donates Rs 1.8 crore

The education grant for unemployed diamond workers’ children to benefit 36,000.

The Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) today announced a donation of Rs 1.8 crore to help educate 36,000 children of the unemployed diamond industry workers in Gujarat.

The funds, which will be deposited directly with schools, will be utilised towards the school fees for the academic year 2009-10. The Ahmedabad Diamond Manufacturers Association (ADMA) has also offered to help out with a fund of Rs 25 lakh.

The exercise will cover the children in 1,309 schools across Gujarat. This includes 540 schools in Ahmedabad, 70 schools in Amreli, 167 in Bhavnagar, 80 in Navsari, 92 in Palanpur, 140 in Surat and 220 in Surendranagar.

“The recent economic turmoil has reduced the export orders to less than half since September last year, rendering several diamond industry workers jobless. The industry has voluntarily come forward in a bid to alleviate the suffering of those affected, and wants to save the school year of their children. We further wish to work towards a subsidised food distribution program, and would like the Gujarat government to help us implement this,” said Ketan Parekh, chairman, GJNRF.

Parekh further added, “Diamond workers are nurtured and cultivated by the industry over decades. They help the industry maintain its leadership position in the world markets. It is essential to continue with relief measures over the next six months.”