Purple Fair 2025: Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the 3rd edition of the International Purple Fest – Celebrating Diversity, reaffirming Goa’s commitment to an inclusive and accessible society. He said the festival has become a symbol of empowerment, showcasing the talent and potential of persons with disabilities. Emphasizing “inclusive thinking,”
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar said that Persons with disabilities are no longer seen merely as beneficiaries. They are professionals, entrepreneurs, and active contributors to society. Speaking at the inaugural session, he emphasized at much-awaited Purple Fair 2025. The Purple Fair not only celebrates talent and inclusion, but also showcases a paradigm shift in societal perception—from seeing disability as limitation to recognizing ability, contribution, and entrepreneurship.
Shri Subhash Phal Desai, Minister of Social Welfare emphasized, “Inclusion is not an act of charity; it is a movement and a principle of governance that brings dignity, independence, and recognition. Festivals like these transform inclusion into something joyful, meaningful, and visible.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ramdas Athawale, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India, stated, “Our Prime Minister is one of the most active and popular leaders globally, deeply committed to India’s development and the welfare of every community.
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, spoke about the evolving role of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities (SCPDs). Over the past years, SCPDs have disposed of more than 50,000 complaints, with high satisfaction rates, and recent Delhi High Court rulings have reinforced the authority of their orders. He highlighted innovative initiatives, including social outreach programs, CSR interventions worth ₹50 crore, and mobile courts addressing hundreds of petitions.
The festival underscores India’s commitment to inclusive governance, celebrating the talent, entrepreneurship, and contributions of persons with disabilities, and inspiring a society where every individual can thrive with dignity and opportunity.
State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar described the fest as “a unique platform to showcase the talent, creativity and resilience of persons with disabilities.”
Shri Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa; Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India; Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India; Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for New Renewable Energy, Government of Goa; Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, MP (Rajya Sabha); Shri Subhash Phal Dessai, Minister for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Goa; Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Dr. V. Candavelou, Chief Secretary of Goa; Shri Prasanna Acharya, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Goa; Shri Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India; Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa; and Shri Taha Haaziq, Secretary, State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, were the dignitaries present.
NCPEDP, Saksham, Bookshare, DAIG , Rising Flame, United Nations India , Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Govt. of India and Office of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, with Ambassadors 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 were also present.
The event, organized by State Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, Directorate of the Social Welfare, Entertainment Society of Goa, in collaboration with, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. This function saw the participation of eminent dignitaries including Ms Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary Shri Rajesh Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ms Richa Shankar, DDG, DEPwD, Shri Praveen Kumar, CMD, ALIMCO Shri P P Ambashta, Dy CCPD, along with NCPT State Commissioners, NGO representatives, media personnel, and special invitees.
