Watch a recap of our three days at the Purple Fest here.
From 9th to 12th October 2025, the Godrej DEI Lab participated in the International Purple Fest in Goa — a celebration of disability inclusion, innovation, and community. Over four days, the festival gave us a glimpse into how inclusion can be joyful, strategic, and deeply transformative.
Led by our head of the DEI Lab, Parmesh Shahani, the Godrej Industries Group contingent included my colleague at the Lab, Sanjana; Maira from Godrej Capital; Preetham Sunkavalli from Godrej Consumer Products; Shreya Singh from our corporate communications team; and me.
As we made our way from Dabolim Airport to Panaji, we were greeted by colourful billboards announcing the Purple Fest. The venue at the Old GMC Palace itself pulsed with energy — music, dance, and a sense of celebration. It was reassuring to see how people with disabilities were not just attendees; they were leaders, creators, and changemakers. They were proudly claiming space, sharing their stories, and presenting solutions that challenge exclusion.
The first day of the fest was especially meaningful for us. Godrej Capital was honoured with the DI-verse Certification by the American India Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. We were thrilled to receive the highest AAA rating, which is a recognition that reaffirms our commitment to building workplaces that are accessible, equitable, and designed for growth. Our colleague Maira accepted the award on behalf of Godrej Capital, and we couldn’t have been prouder.
On the second day of the Fest, we participated in the session titled “Purple Convention: Lead Beyond Limits.” I spoke on the panel, sharing how disability inclusion drives innovation at Godrej. Sharing the stage with me were voices like — Nidhi Goyal (Rising Flame), Shombi Sharp (United Nations), Pravimal Abhishek (Goa Industrial Development Corporation), and Rajesh Aggarwal (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Govt of India). Through insights and our personal experiences, we found connections between inclusion and economic growth, global goals, and dignity in employment. DEI Council member Preetham also added insights on how inclusive cultures nurture talent as a part of the panel.
Later that day, Parmesh, Preetham, and Maira held a press conference, where they spoke about Godrej’s commitment to disability inclusion in the workplace. Parmesh emphasized the need for businesses to view inclusion not as a corporate responsibility, but as a strategic advantage that fosters innovation and empathy. He said, “We at Godrej believe inclusion fuels innovation. When we design for difference, we design better for everyone. Our goal is to build workplaces where accessibility is not an add-on, but an instinctual part of our design. True inclusion begins when we stop asking how people can fit into our systems and start redesigning those systems to fit people.”
On the sidelines of the festival, we had the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and innovators who are using assistive technology to build scalable, and inclusive businesses. We had an engaging conversation with Sunil Choudhary, founder of TAN (The Accessible Nation) App — an accessible food and grocery ordering platform integrated with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) in India. He highlighted how critical accessibility is for the workplace by asserting, “Assistive technology is a lifeline. Without a screen reader, I can’t interact with any digital system. It’s what makes us independent and employable.”
Personally, for me, the festival was also filled with moments of reflection and connection. Like when I met Monu Sheikh, a corporate professional, who reminded me that “inclusion doesn’t mean just having a ramp or diversity.” One of the most touching insights came from a repeat visitor to the fest, who explained the experience of the Fest when he said, “Last time I was amazed to see a festival where every disability is celebrated. This time, I got the opportunity to set up a stall and show who I am to the world. Even within the disabled community, we don’t always understand each other’s experiences. Here, we get a chance to do that.”
As I reflect on our experience at Purple Fest, I feel a deep sense of pride — in the stories we heard, the connections we made, and the possibilities we imagined. The festival served as an important reminder to us to look at inclusion as not just a checkbox or a policy — but as a strategy, and a shared journey.
One of the most touching insights came from a repeat visitor to the fest, who explained the experience of the Fest when he said, “Last time I was amazed to see a festival where every disability is celebrated. This time, I got the opportunity to set up a stall and show who I am to the world. Even within the disabled community, we don’t always understand each other’s experiences. Here, we get a chance to do that.”