'Jewellers have to be dynamic to meet challenges in market'

 “Industry-academia relations are not only relevant but also important these days. The benefit of conducting such workshops where students can interact with people from the industry is important,” said Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal University, while inaugurating the two-day workshop on “Latest techniques in jewellery manufacturing” organised by Manipal institute of Jewellery Management here at the TMA Pai planetarium building.   
Proprietor of Rajson International, Mumbai, Rajan Mistry, and President of Metalz Craftor Devesh B Davda were the guests of honour and resource persons for the workshop.
In his welcome address, Director of MIJM Prof (Col) M M Shanbhag said that the demand for gold jewellery has seen an upward movement despite recession and rising prices. In 2008, it was worth Rs 90,000 crore as compared with Rs 71,000 crore in 2007, he added.
“With the growing competition it becomes necessary for jewellers to be dynamic enough to cope with challenges and changes in the market,” said Devesh B Davda. Jewellers from various parts of Karnataka and neighbouring states and MIJM students were participating in the workshop. The first day’s session was beneficial to the jewellers and students as the resource persons presented a lot of new things. Their awareness grew as experts in the field shared valuable insights on the latest techniques in jewellery manufacturing like rubber mould making, vulcanising, wax injection and investment making for casting, informed a press release.