A vibrant celebration of ability, innovation, and dignity
Goa once again became the heart of inclusion and empowerment as Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the 3rd International Purple Fest – Celebrating Diversity. The festival, now recognized as a global symbol of inclusivity, continues to strengthen Goa’s commitment to building an accessible society where every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive.
In his address, Dr. Sawant lauded the festival’s transformative journey, noting that it has evolved into a beacon of empowerment — highlighting the creativity, potential, and professional excellence of persons with disabilities (PwDs). “The Purple Fest represents inclusive thinking in action,” he remarked, underscoring the state’s efforts to make accessibility an intrinsic part of governance and social development.
Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that persons with disabilities are no longer viewed merely as beneficiaries but as professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. “The Purple Fair marks a paradigm shift — from seeing disability as limitation to recognizing ability, contribution, and entrepreneurship,” he said, reaffirming the Ministry’s dedication to inclusive growth and opportunity.
Adding to the spirit of the occasion, Shri Subhash Phal Desai, Minister of Social Welfare, observed, “Inclusion is not charity; it is a principle of governance that brings dignity, independence, and recognition. Festivals like these make inclusion joyful, meaningful, and visible.”
Meanwhile, Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, highlighted the government’s deep commitment to ensuring that development reaches every community. “Our Prime Minister is among the most dynamic leaders globally, dedicated to the progress and welfare of all,” he noted.
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), outlined the evolving and increasingly effective role of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities (SCPDs). He revealed that more than 50,000 complaints have been resolved by SCPDs with high satisfaction levels, while recent rulings by the Delhi High Court have further reinforced their legal authority. He also detailed the Department’s initiatives — including CSR projects worth ₹50 crore, outreach programs, and mobile courts that have addressed hundreds of petitions — which are making tangible differences on the ground.
Reflecting the event’s ethos, Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, described the Purple Fest as “a unique platform to showcase the talent, creativity, and resilience of persons with disabilities.”
Purple Fair 2025
The event drew an impressive roster of dignitaries, including Dr. Virendra Kumar, Shri Ramdas Athawale, Shri Shripad Naik, Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Shri Subhash Phal Desai, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Dr. V. Candavelou, Shri Prasanna Acharya, Shri Shombi Sharp (UN Resident Coordinator in India), and several other senior officials and representatives from the Government of India and the State of Goa.
The festival also featured the participation of notable organizations such as NCPEDP, Saksham, Bookshare, DAIG, Rising Flame, United Nations India, and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa. Ambassadors of inclusion — including Sadiya Bandodkar, Sakshi Kale, Xerif Shaik, Manju Sharma, Lalit Pargi, Mahadev Sawant, Krunal Thakur, K.Y. Venkatesh, Joseph, Anjali Vyas, Zamir Dhale, Dhanya Ravi, Santosh Vani, Deepashree Narendra, Sunil Sahasrabudhe, Aarti Batra, Pragya Singh, Rakshita Shekhar, Nidhi Goyal, Jeeja Ghosh, Umesh Salgar, and Maya Ranavare — added further inspiration and spirit to the event.
Organized jointly by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Directorate of Social Welfare, and the Entertainment Society of Goa, in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the festival reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The Purple Fair 2025 stands as a vibrant reminder that inclusion is not merely an aspiration — it is India’s evolving reality, where every person’s potential is celebrated with dignity, purpose, and pride.
