Bakul Limbasiya Wins APO National Award for Pioneering Lab-Grown Diamond Industry

Industry Pioneer Bakul Limbasiya Honoured with Prestigious APO National Award

Bakul Limbasiya , founder of Bhathwari Technologies, has been conferred the prestigious  APO National Award , recognising his exceptional contributions to  productivity, innovation, and leadership  in India. This accolade marks a significant milestone for Limbasiya and shines a spotlight on India’s rapidly expanding  lab-grown diamond (LGD) industry , which is gaining substantial global strategic and economic importance.

Prestige of the APO National Award
The  APO National Award  is instituted by the  Asian Productivity Organization (APO) , a Tokyo-based intergovernmental body, and is administered in India by the  National Productivity Council  under the  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) . Regarded as one of the nation’s highest honours for advancing productivity, past distinguished recipients include industrialist  Anil Naik (L&T)  and  Dr. Verghese Kurien , the architect of India's White Revolution, underscoring the award's elite stature.

Architect of India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Revolution
A true pioneer, Bakul Limbasiya has been involved with the lab-grown diamond sector since  1998  and is credited with producing  India’s first lab-grown diamond in 2004 . His early technological breakthroughs in  Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)  technology laid the foundation for a globally competitive and innovation-driven Indian LGD ecosystem. Through a sustained focus on advanced manufacturing, exports, and ethical practices, Limbasiya has been instrumental in positioning  India as a global hub  for lab-grown diamonds.

Strategic Alignment with National Goals
The recognition of the LGD sector through this award highlights its rising  strategic relevance to India's economy . Limbasiya’s work aligns with the  Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)  vision by strengthening domestic manufacturing, promoting a  sustainable alternative  to mined diamonds, and enhancing productivity through technology-led processes. Upon receiving the award, Limbasiya stated that the honour validates the collective efforts of India’s LGD community at the intersection of  technology, sustainability, and value creation .

Bhathwari Technologies and Broader Impact
Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd. , based in Surat, is a leader in manufacturing  CVD diamond reactors and plasma systems  essential for LGD production. The company has also invested in  Limelight Diamonds , a lab-grown diamond jewellery brand. This award underscores how innovation in high-tech, emerging manufacturing sectors like lab-grown diamonds is contributing significantly to  employment, exports, and India’s global competitiveness .

Exam-Focused Important Facts:

• Award:   APO National Award , administered by the  National Productivity Council (India)  for the  Asian Productivity Organization .

• Recipient:   Bakul Limbasiya , founder of Bhathwari Technologies.

• Significance:  Recognises pioneering work in India’s  Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD)  industry.

• Key Achievement:  Credited with producing  India’s first lab-grown diamond in 2004 .

• Technologies:  Lab-grown diamonds are created using  CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)  and  HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature)  methods.

• National