APO National Award Honours Bakul Limbasiya for Productivity Leadership

Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Bhathwari Technologies, has been conferred the APO National Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to productivity, innovation, and leadership in India. The award marks a significant milestone not only for Limbasiya but also for India’s fast-growing lab-grown diamond industry, which is gaining global strategic and economic importance.

About the APO National Award

The APO National Award is instituted by the Asian Productivity Organization and administered in India by the National Productivity Council under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. It is regarded as one of the highest national recognitions for advancing productivity and competitiveness across sectors. Past recipients include industrial and social leaders such as Anil Naik of Larsen & Toubro and Verghese Kurien, architect of India’s White Revolution, underscoring the award’s prestige.

Pioneering India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Ecosystem

A pioneer in the global lab-grown diamond sector, Bakul Limbasiya has been associated with the industry since 1998 and is credited with producing India’s first lab-grown diamond in 2004. His early technological breakthroughs laid the foundation for a globally competitive and innovation-driven Indian LGD ecosystem. Through sustained focus on advanced manufacturing, exports, and responsible practices, Limbasiya has played a central role in positioning India as a global hub for lab-grown diamonds.

Strategic Significance for Emerging Manufacturing

The inclusion of the lab-grown diamond sector among APO National Award recipients reflects its rising strategic relevance. Limbasiya’s work aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, promoting sustainable alternatives to mined diamonds, and enhancing productivity standards through technology-led processes. On receiving the award, he said the recognition validates the collective efforts of India’s lab-grown diamond community at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and value creation.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Asian Productivity Organization is a Tokyo-based intergovernmental body.
• APO National Award recognises excellence in productivity and innovation.
• Lab-grown diamonds are produced using CVD and HPHT technologies.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat focuses on self-reliance in manufacturing and technology.

Bhathwari Technologies and Industry Impact

Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd., based in Surat, manufactures chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond reactors and plasma systems used in lab-grown diamond production. The company is at the forefront of India’s LGD technology landscape and has also invested in Limelight Diamonds, a lab-grown diamond jewellery brand. The APO National Award highlights how innovation in emerging manufacturing sectors such as lab-grown diamonds is contributing to employment, exports, and India’s global competitiveness.