Tag: Purple Fest Goa 2025

Social

Godrej DEI Lab Champions Disability Inclusion at Purple Fest Goa 2025

allycaralgoa

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.

Films

Rab Di Awaaz Screening Inspires Inclusion at Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High

Tanisha Cardozo

As part of the pre-events for the highly anticipated International Purple Fest, Goa 2025, Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, Porvorim, had the honour of hosting the screening of Rab Di Awaaz, a powerful and emotive film series that beautifully captures the lives and challenges of persons with disabilities.

Organized by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, the United Nations, and the Rotary Club of Bardez Coastal. This inspiring initiative aimed to foster awareness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the need for inclusion and equal opportunities in all spheres of life.

The program featured esteemed guests including Mr. Ojaswwee Sharma, National Award–Winning Film Director; Mr. Bhasker Pandey, Film Editor; Mr. Shridhar Gupta, Editor; and Dr. Rimpi Arora, Advisor on Policy and Inclusion. Mr. Sharma addressed the students and faculty, offering a compelling talk on the creative process behind Rab Di Awaaz and the importance of inclusive storytelling in reshaping societal perspectives.

What made the screening unique was its delivery format—telecasted in every classroom using Smart TV panels, a pioneering step that sets Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High apart as the first school in Goa to integrate Smart Class facilities in all classrooms. This technology-enabled approach ensured that every student, from primary to high school, could engage with the film in an immersive and accessible manner.

The event left a lasting impression on students, instilling a sense of empathy and awareness about the challenges and strengths of persons with disabilities. It was not just a film screening, but a step toward building a more inclusive, informed, and compassionate generation.

Through initiatives like these, Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School continues to be a beacon of progressive, values-driven education that goes beyond academics to shape socially responsible individuals.

Events in Goa

India’s First Multi-Inclusive Hindi Film “Rabb Di Awaaz” to Screen at Purple Fest Goa 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The International Purple Fest Goa 2025 will open with a powerful screening of “Rabb Di Awaaz,” India’s first multi-inclusive and multi-accessible Hindi feature film. The screening, scheduled for October 9 at INOX Panjim (Screen 1), is a fitting start to a festival that champions inclusivity and accessibility in every form.

Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ojaswwee Sharma, the film explores the lives, challenges, and aspirations of persons with disabilities. What sets this film apart is its authentic casting — featuring actors with disabilities in key roles — including lead actor Shiv Kumar Sharma, who is visually impaired. His nuanced performance lends emotional depth and truth to the film’s narrative, making it not only a cinematic experience but a social statement.

“Rabb Di Awaaz” has already created a global ripple. It has completed over 275 complimentary screenings across India and internationally, spanning over 650 days. The film has reached audiences in schools, colleges, universities, and special education institutions across 13 Indian states and territories, including Goa, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and more. Internationally, it has been featured in festivals across California, Leicester, and London. It was most recently recognized by the United Nations India and UNESCO at the We Care Film Festival 2025 for its commitment to accessibility and inclusion in cinema.

Ahead of the main screening at IPFG-2025, the film was already introduced to audiences in Goa through a series of pre-event screenings under the Purple Spectrum initiative, led by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa. The film was showcased at educational institutions like Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, St. Britto High School, Goa University, and the National Association for the Blind, among others. This made Goa the first Indian state administration to invite and facilitate screenings of “Rabb Di Awaaz” across multiple educational setups.

Director Ojaswwee Sharma expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Goa for this opportunity, stating that it represents a meaningful step toward national recognition for inclusive cinema. He emphasized that this film is not merely an artistic project but part of a larger cultural movement that uses cinema as a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and social change.

As part of the festival’s rich and inclusive programming, the screening of “Rabb Di Awaaz” reaffirms that inclusive cinema is not a niche category but an essential pillar of India’s evolving cultural narrative. With policymakers, educators, and changemakers in attendance, the festival provides an important platform to amplify the voices and stories that matter.

Sports

Divyang Cricket Championship Kicks Off in Ponda Ahead of Purple Fest Goa 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Ponda, Goa | 1st October 2025 – The energy at Ponda Sports Complex soared today as the Divyang Cricket Championship was officially inaugurated, kicking off the much-anticipated pre-events for the International Purple Fest Goa 2025. A tribute to ability, resilience, and community spirit, this inclusive sporting event sets the tone for what promises to be the most impactful edition of the Purple Fest yet.

Cricket, long cherished in India, took on a new meaning today — one that transcends boundaries and showcases how sports can empower people of all abilities. The event welcomed para-athletes and divyang (persons with disabilities) cricketers from across regions, drawing attention to the importance of accessibility and equal opportunity in sports.

The Purple Fest has always stood for inclusion, dignity, and visibility — and this cricket championship represents all of that and more. The players, representing courage and excellence, took to the pitch not just to compete, but to inspire. Their performances were met with cheers from an enthusiastic crowd, including families, community members, and supporters of the larger disability rights movement.

This event is not just a game; it’s a statement — that inclusion in sport is not just possible, it’s essential. As we count down to Purple Fest Goa 2025, the Divyang Cricket Championship reminds us of the extraordinary things that happen when accessibility meets opportunity.

The match may have started in Ponda, but its impact is already echoing far beyond the field.