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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
FinancialsJan 17, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Rise 14% in Holiday QuarterThe company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
CollectionsJan 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Picchiotti’s Transformable ‘Classic Blue and Green’ NecklaceThe necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
MajorsJan 17, 2025
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Name First Winner of Jewelry Designer AwardJameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth LocationThe 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
Weekly QuizJan 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park WatchesThe watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for RegistrationThe jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel AuctionAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround StrategyThe closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Open for SubmissionsThe awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
GradingJan 14, 2025
GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and IndustryIn this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
GradingJan 14, 2025
Former SSEF Director Henry A. Hänni DiesA pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall ShortThe peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand OfficerSchneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking GemfieldsGemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart RingWith versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical MetalsmithsThe executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm BeachThe New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ BroochAdrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural DiamondsThe pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. JewelsOfficers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the MoonThe “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
