New Delhi: Mithali Raj, captain of the Indian women’s cricket team and the official ambassador for Rio Tinto’s Australian Diamonds programme, was honored with the Senco Gold & Diamonds, Swarna Samman award at a star-studded event held in Kolkata on Friday 21st December.
Swarna Samman is an annual award by leading retail Jeweller Senco Gold & Diamonds to recognize outstanding achievers in the fields of art, culture, and sports. This year Mithali Raj is honored for her excellence and contribution to women’s cricket in India.
Speaking at the event Ms. Raj said, “I am delighted to be the recipient of Senco Gold & Diamonds, Swarna Samman. When I first started playing cricket, there was no recognition of female players in India. I have had to strive for all that I achieved and I’m honored to have represented my country and taken it to the pinnacle of world cricket.”
The award was presented by Shankar Sen, Chairman and Managing Director, Senco Gold & Diamonds in the presence of Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, and Brand Ambassador for Senco Gold & Diamonds.
Suvankar Sen, Executive Director, Senco Gold & Diamonds, said, “Swarna Samman is our way of recognizing exemplary individuals who have dedicated their lives to their chosen field. We wish to thank them for enriching our lives and being an inspiration to society. This year we are honored to present the award to an icon of Indian cricket, Ms. Mithali Raj.”
The following day at the Senco Gold & Diamonds, Moulali showroom Mithali Raj unveiled an exclusive collection of Australian Diamonds jewelry from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia. Comprising both bridal and fashion jewelry, the Australian Diamonds collection is available at all Senco Gold & Diamonds stores.
Central to Rio Tinto’s Australian Diamonds initiative is a leading-edge system to track Rio Tinto’s rough diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia through to jewelry in India, thereby celebrating Rio Tinto’s diamond heritage and pedigree from a clean, traceable source of diamonds.
Vikram Merchant, Director of Rio Tinto’s Diamond Sales and Marketing activities in India said, “We are delighted to work with leading retailer Senco Gold & Diamonds and honored that Mithali Raj is the official ambassador for Australian Diamonds, helping promote the popularity of diamonds in fashion and bridal jewelry, particularly for younger Indian consumers.”
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]