SourcingSep 20, 2023
Natural Diamond Outlook: Indian Diamantaires Navigating Multiple Storms Policies & IssuesSep 20, 2023
Creating a Brighter Future for the Differently Abled
GIA is among the supporters of a new school building for children with special needs.
Palanpur, India—In January this year, Sahyog (meaning “collaborative participation” in Gujarati), a new complex for an institution devoted to vocational and educational training of divyang (differently abled) children, was inaugurated in the presence of a large number of diamantaires from different corners of the globe.
Located in the Indian city of Palanpur, the building houses Mamtamandir run by the Vidyamandir Trust, an institution that provides free education to children with four different types of disabilities—the visually impaired, physically handicapped, hearing impaired and mentally challenged—under one roof.
The complex also includes a newly opened college that grants master’s degrees in special education, the first institution offering this post-graduate degree in the entire state of Gujarat. (The trust has been granting bachelor’s degrees for special educators for a number of years now.)
While the new building, named “A Development Space for Divyangs, an Indo-US partnership,” was made possible with a generous grant from the Gemological Institute of America, the institute itself has been nurtured and built by donations from different diamond industry families, allowing it grow from its humble beginnings in the early 1960s.
Ashish K. Mehta, managing trustee of Vidyamandir Trust, said the idea for Mamtamandir took shape after his father, Kantilal “Kanubhai” Chhotalal, who set up the trust in 1948, attended a lecture in the 1960s given by Padmashri Dr. Rajendra Vyas.
Vyas was then one of the leading members of the National Association for the Blind and founder of the Blind Men’s Association in India.
“Kanubhai was inspired by the thought that even those who are ‘disabled’ have the abilities to contribute to the progress of society if properly nurtured and trained,” Ashish said.
Chhotalal started Mamtamandir in 1963 as a school for the visually impaired and in the decades since, expanded its outreach to include those with other types of disabilities.
Driven by the vision of helping these children integrate as productive members of society, the Vidyamandir Trust became one of the first institutions in India to implement the vision of integrated education, under which differently abled students joined mainstream institutions whenever possible, enriching the learning experience for all participants.
Today, the trust runs more than 20 different projects under Mamtamandir, all related to vocational and skill training.
The new integrated Sahyog complex, spread over 36,000 square feet, aims to take this intervention to a new level.
It complements some of the older facilities that are housed in separate, and now interconnected, buildings on a contiguous plot. At present, Mamtamandir has an intake of more than 400 differently abled students, boys and girls, challenged by a variety of impairments.
The institution also runs separate hostels for boys and girls, providing free boarding and lodging to about 300 of its students.
Related stories will be right here …
Creating an integrated structure to satisfy their varied needs was no easy task, said Nishant Mehta, a Mumbai-based and Columbia University-trained architect whose family is from Palanpur and were associated with the diamond industry.
Nishant led his architectural design firm, Studio NM, in steering the project and described the journey as a deeply fulfilling exercise.
“We did quite a bit of research about principles followed in different types of institutions and studied universal design guidelines and norms. Yet, some of the most valuable inputs actually came from the practical insights provided by experienced teachers and trustees.”
“Sahyog exemplifies our shared vision for a world where help is born out of empathy, not sympathy.” — Sriram Natarajan, GIA India
In fact, Nishant added, the interactions at the local level with these stakeholders were so useful that that they became institutionalized in the form of joint inspections and discussions once every month.
“The final design has the larger public spaces at the street face of the building, and the spaces for learning tucked away in the quieter part of the campus, with larger workshops housed on the ground level and the classroom spaces and the library on the floors above,” he explained.
Stressing that the building is barrier-free and goes beyond standard regulations, Nishant highlighted some of the special features that Studio NM incorporated.
They include the following:
- Ceiling heights modulated with double-height spaces and triple-height corridors with bridges, to both achieve visual connectivity through the school and control the echo;
- A circulation block that spans the length of the façade to protect the main structure from heat;
- The use of brick jaalis (meshes), extensively found in the traditional buildings in Palanpur, at a height to allow hot air to be expelled from the corridor and cooler air to enter the lower level;
- Skylights to create a choreography of light, allowing visually impaired students with photosensitive skin to orient themselves;
- Openings oriented towards the north for the learning spaces, allowing soft, natural north light to permeate and helping to keep the space cool;
- Use of the floors as tools for navigation, such as rough and polished Kota stone floors along with tactile flooring used in corridors and classrooms respectively, so the change of texture helps visually impaired students differentiate the spaces;
- Use of local, low-maintenance plants on campus. Fragrant flowering plants near the entrance activate the olfactory senses and enables identification of entrances by visually impaired students; all chosen plants had rounded leaves to avoid any injuries;
- A translation of Braille script in Gujarati developed specially for signage in the school; and
- Artwork commissioned from local artists.
Mamtamandir and its latest edifice, Sahyog, form a remarkably poignant example of how the diamond industry in India has been contributing generously to socially significant causes that support long-term development goals.
Sriram Natarajan, managing director of GIA India, said, “We at GIA India are honored to support the Vidyamandir Trust to build Sahyog. It has been a humbling experience to witness the dedication of the trust towards creating a society where differently abled individuals are not just accepted but embraced as equal partners.
“Sahyog exemplifies our shared vision for a world where help is born out of empathy, not sympathy. Together, we are taking strides towards a more inclusive and compassionate future.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
