Karishma Kapoor in town, after 15 years

Famous Bollywood actor Karishma Kapoor was in town Monday to inaugurate a jewelry showroom, Marigold Jewellers, at Yak and Yeti Road in Durbar Marg. She inaugurated the showroom amid a special function organized at the premises of the showroom.

However, her visit was brief—she landed in Kathmandu Monday 8:40am and returned by the flight of 4:15pm the same day.

Speaking on the inaugural ceremony, she said: “As a friend and a well wisher of Nepal, I am so happy to be here. I love the country, the land of Mount Everest. I am visiting Nepal after 15 years, and I am so happy to be here once again.” She also expressed her wish to visit Nepal again if situations permitted.

Dignitaries attending the inaugural ceremony included Bhawani Rana, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI); Jyotsana Shrestha, managing director of Marigold Jewellers; and Suresh Shrestha, its chairperson. Miss Nepal International 2012 Subekshya Khadka hosted the event.

“This is a well-known and reliable jewelry shop of Nepal, which deals in ornaments including gold, silver, precious Nepali stones and many more,” Khadka said.

Marigold is considered to be one of the oldest jewelry businesses of Nepal, with the fourth generation of the Shrestha family running it. The first shop was opened 104 years ago at Indrachowk in Kathmandu.

“It totally resembles my carrier as I am also the fourth generation actor in the Bolloywood film industry,” Karishma said.

Marigold Jewellers aims to promote Nepali gemstones across the globe, according to managing director Jyotsana.

“As Indian and Nepali cultures are similar, Karishma’s presence will help promote Nepali business and advertise Nepali traditional jewelry in India and among Indian communities across the world,” she said.

FNCCI president Rana appreciated Marigold for providing high quality service in the jewelry business for long, and regarded it to be one of the pioneers of handmade gold and silver jewelry in Nepal. At the outset of its journey, Marigold had a very traditional outlet. The business grew over the years and now it is among the largest and most popular jewelry traders of Nepal.

“Nepali jewelry, especially those of handmade silver and gold, are very popular across the globe. The craftsmen making these handmade jewelries are rare in the world. Each year, jewelry worth Rs 350 million is exported to the West, and the demand is increasing by 16 percent each year. So I see a very bright future for the Marigold family,” said Rana. She hoped the business would expand further and outlets would be opened in different parts of the world.

“Celebrity like Karishma coming to open the showroom is a great support for the business. We hope that it will significantly promote the business of Nepali handmade jewelry,” she added.

Marigold Jewellers are currently selling traditional, modern and mixed-design jewels from its New Road and Durbar Marg showrooms. Marigold is also looking forward to export Nepali jewels such as Kyanite, ruby, blue sapphire, and other gemstones across the globe. Pure handmade light gold jewelry are also designed and prepared as per the customers’ need. Old jewelry is also refurbished into new designs as per the costumers’ choice.

Karishma has played lead roles in several Bollywood hits such as ‘Raja Hindustani’, ‘Janwar’, ‘Coolie No. 1’, ‘Anari’, ‘Fiza’, ‘Zubeidaa’, among others. She won India’s national film award for her supporting role in the 1997 blockbuster ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ and Filmfare award for best actress for her lead role in ‘Raja Hindustani’.