Jewellery industry is a woman’s forte, says Bhima Jewellery Director Jaya Govindan on receiving lifetime achievement award

Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan presented her with the award at the Women Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony organized by Business Plus magazine in Trivandrum on May 16

Jaya Govindan, Director of Bhima Jewellery and wife of Dr B Govindan, Chairman of Bhima Jewellery, has received a lifetime achievement award for her remarkable contributions to the jewellery business. Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan presented her with the award at the Women Entrepreneurs Award ceremony organized by Business Plus magazine on May 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Trivandrum.

“It came as a surprise to me. It was a thrill to receive this award,” says Jaya Govindan, Director, Bhima Jewellery, who would go to her husband’s jewellery shop and slowly take on responsibilities. She gradually took charge of the staff as well as the selection process of diamonds and antiques and the production and execution for all their boutiques. “I was a housewife raising my three daughters. I waited for them to grow older before I decided to do something for myself. I started going to my husband’s shop and slowly took up the responsibilities. I had his support, and he was my mentor, having started in this industry at a young age,” she relates.

A graduate in Politics and English Literature, Govindan shares the challenges she faced in her journey. “The only challenge I have seen in the industry, especially in Kerala, is that people seldom look up to a woman and her achievements. They are uncomfortable working under a woman and don’t like to be bossed around by one. I overcame this by pushing my way through. However, I believe in today’s time, many girls are entering the jewellery industry, so gender bias is no longer an issue,” states Govindan.

Govindan believes that women in jewellery, as well as any other industry, can get wherever they want to be in life if they work hard. “I support my female staff in whatever they do. The jewellery industry is the forte of women as they know better what will suit them and will be able to showcase such items for customers,” says Govindan.

Written by Bushra Satkhed with inputs from Maithili Patange

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