06 March,2014 12:46 AM IST | | The Centerstage Team
The Gem And Jewellery Federation Of India, an apex body of the industry, recently announced its awards for 2013-14 at an event held in Mumbai
Arun Kaigaonkar with son Chintamani and Vaijayanti Kaigaonkar
The Gem And Jewellery Federation Of India, an apex body of the industry, recently announced its awards for 2013-14 at an event held in Mumbai.
Arun Kaigaonkar with son Chintamani and Vaijayanti Kaigaonkar
Chintamanis, a leading jewellery brand, won two prestigious awards. Its new flagship store at Prabhadevi won the Best Store Of The Year award while Arun Shivram Kaigaonkar, the founder and chairman, was honoured with the Anmol Ratna Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kaigaonkar set up a small workshop to manufacture gold bangles way back in 1972. Initially, he started retailing his products in the city from a small shop in Girgaum, Vaishali Jewellers. Twenty years later, he set up a much bigger store, Chintamanis, in Prabhadevi opposite Siddhivinayak Temple. In 2003, the Group opened their third store in Borivali.
Arun's son Chintamani has been active in the business since a young age and manages the diamond jewellery segment. Two years later, they set up their first diamond manufacturing unit under the leadership of Vaijayanti Kaigaonkar.
Chintamanis now has branches in Vashi, Vasai and Goa. Arun Kaigaonkar has founded and headed various organisations like Mumbai Gold Club, Gem and Jewellery Federation of India, Maharashtra Rajya Suvarnakar Federation and others.
He is actively involved with the Swarna Ratna Pith Foundation that fuels young entrepreneurs in the jewellery business. He has also set up a training institute at Lalbaug for upcoming talents. As an entrepreneur, Arun Kaigaonkar is dedicated to the growth of the industry as a whole. His mantra is, "If the industry grows, we grow".
