At Purple Fest 2025, India’s largest celebration of diversity and inclusion, the Godrej DEI Lab, the diversity, equity, and inclusion arm of the Godrej Industries Group, took centre stage with its powerful session titled “Lead Beyond Limits: Disability and the New World of Work.”
The session, held in partnership with Rising Flame and the United Nations in India, brought together changemakers, policymakers, and corporate leaders to rethink inclusion beyond policies and quotas — focusing instead on equity, accessibility, and opportunity.
Parmesh Shahani, Head of the Godrej DEI Lab, led the dialogue emphasizing that accessibility must be integrated into design and strategy from the very start.
“We at Godrej believe inclusion fuels innovation. When we design for difference, we design better for everyone,” said Shahani. “True inclusion begins when we stop asking how people can fit into our systems, and start redesigning those systems to fit people.”
The discussion featured eminent voices such as Ms. Nidhi Goyal, Founder and Executive Director, Rising Flame; Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India; and Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Representing the Godrej Industries Group alongside Shahani were Pulakita Mayekar, Executive, Research and Media at Godrej DEI Lab, and Preetham Sunkavalli, Deputy General Manager, Brand at Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL).
Both highlighted how accessibility and empathy are not just social imperatives but strategic advantages that help businesses innovate and thrive. In a reflective post, GCPL MD Sudhir Sitapathi shared how his conversations with Preetham provided deep insights into observation, technology, and independence — redefining what ability truly means.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Pulakita Mayekar discussed the importance of designing inclusive spaces, systems, and products that serve diverse cognitive and physical needs.
The session reaffirmed Godrej DEI Lab’s belief that disability inclusion is not about doing more — it’s about doing better. By embedding accessibility into every aspect of work, Godrej continues to pave the way for a more equitable and empathetic India.
Learn more about their initiatives at www.godrejdeilab.com and watch their film on PwD inclusion here: Access/Ability.
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