Dr. Pukhraj Chand Lunia
A prominent social worker and an international business person Dr. P.C. Lunia was born in Jaipur on April 13, 1943 (Ram-Navmai, Chaitra Shukla Navami. Samvat 2000). One of his forefathers Shri Dheengarmal Shah was the Prime Minister of the State of Multan. In 1136 A.D. Jain Acharya DADAGURU JINDUTT SURI showed him the brilliant path of Lord Mahavira the 24th Jain Tirthankar and he became his staunch follower. From Multan the family moved to Jaisalmer, Delhi and finally to Jaipur about 150 years ago and engaged itself in jewellery business. His grand father late Shri Gulabchand Lunia and father late Shri K.C. Lunia were among the prominent jewellers of Pink City Jaipur.
Dr. P.C. Lunia is also a very innovative and dynamic person in this field. He has an innate trait that helps him to assess a gem perfectly. He has to his credit a unique invention resulting in the metamorphosis of a white sapphire of Kashmir into a brilliant sapphire of blue hue. His wife Ratna has been in the forefront of all his endeavours.
Mr. Lunia has developed a series of huge chandeliers studded with a rare combination of gemstone beads which are considered most exquisite pieces of art and craft. The New York Times also highlighted his achievements in the field of jewellery in a specal news item which appeared in its issue of Aug.20, 1971 covering the party which was held in his honour by Mr. and Mrs. Seward Johnson, Chairman, Johnson & Johnson at Nantucket (USA).
He has established Golden India Foundation, a non-profit social organization, for the sole purpose of uplifting the downtrodden and bringing back the glorious days of ancient India. This Foundation works as a think tank and does research on fundamental problems facing India and imparts highly pragmatic suggestions regarding their prompt solutions to the people at the helm in the government, and thus, through his practical approach he is trying to help make India a prominently developed nation in the 21st century.
Mr. Arun Jetly, the Union Minister for Law, Government of India, on behalf of the WISITEX Foundation conferred on him (March 3, 2000) the international award of "International Man of Knowledge" in recognition of his holistic efforts, dedication, selfless service for upliftment of the unemployed, able leadership and far-reaching vision as a young rising industrialist.
He published a book "AMITY" on the historic occasion of President Bill Clinton’s visit to India. He also presented him his sculpted face made of Ruby, which weighted 1471 carats.
He is also leading a workshop on poverty elevation at the UN Conference being held in the second weak of September 2004.
In January 2004 he presented the first copy of his research book "A Vision of Golden India, An achievable Action Plan" to the President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam during Pravasi Bhartiya Conference at New Delhi. This book deals with unique approach to solution of unemployment problem in India and technique of uplifting farmers, income in India.
In July 1995 he was awarded by prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIF) "Treasured Gifts Award by the President Mr. William E. Boyajian at a large dinner given in his honor in New York.
His book titled "A Vision of Golden Russia" was released by Mr. Robocov the chairman of Oriental Studies Conference held on Moscow August 2004 at a special dinner "Evening in India". This dinner which was attended by more than 750 Russian and international delegates.