Purple Fest is ‘not just a celebration’

The third edition of the International Purple Fest recently transformed Goa into a platform where conversations on disability, accessibility and equality took centre stage.

What began as a state-level initiative to celebrate the abilities of persons with disabilities (PwDs) has grown into a large-scale platform that draws participants, innovators and policymakers from across India and beyond. This year, the four-day event, brought together delegates, artists, caregivers and experts in a collective effort to build awareness and drive action.

The message for the festival was clear – that inclusion is not charity; it is a right. From policy dialogues to sports, art, and employment fairs, every activity reflected a commitment to create opportunities and dismantle barriers.

BEYOND CELEBRATIONS

The Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Subhash Phal Dessai, described Purple Fest as a movement that must continue well beyond its four days of activity. “This festival is not just a celebration. It is a movement to bring visibility, dignity and pride to the lives of persons with disabilities,” he said. “Our task now is to ensure the same energy flows into policy, education, employment and community life.”

Dessai added that inclusion must be embedded into Goa’s governance model. “It is not an act of charity; it is a principle of governance. Every public policy must ask how it empowers persons with disabilities.” Goa will continue to lead by example in creating accessible and barrier-free environments, he reiterated.

The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad Pawaskar, said that the event has always been about creating a space where everyone feels seen and heard. “Purple is not just a colour. It’s a movement, an emotion that unites people who believe that dignity and equality are non-negotiable,” he said.

Pawaskar credited the success of the event to the unwavering support of Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, various government departments, NGOs, volunteers and the citizens of Goa. “Countless sleepless nights went into making this possible,” he shared. “But, when I see persons with disabilities participating with confidence, and hear families say they’ve found new hope, every effort feels truly worthwhile.”

THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

The festival itself offered a diverse range of experiences. Workshops on assistive technology and inclusive design, conventions on supported employment, and sessions on disability law gave participants practical insights into advocacy and rights.

The sports events – including Unified Basketball, Unified Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and adventure sports – proved that physical barriers can be overcome, and sports can be inclusive, too.

Another major highlight was the Purple Convention on rural inclusion, organised in collaboration with Tata Steel Foundation. The dialogue brought together policymakers and NGOs to discuss ways of building inclusive ecosystems beyond urban centres.

The speakers emphasised the need for accessible infrastructure, digital literacy, and training in panchayats to make inclusion a reality in villages as well. At the Purple Marketplace, artists and entrepreneurs with disabilities showcased their work – from handmade crafts to digital art and food products – which helps build livelihoods.

GETTING REAL

For visitors and volunteers alike, the experience was transformative. Pawaskar noted that the real impact of the festival would unfold in the months to come. “The lights may go out tonight, but the work begins tomorrow,” he said. “We will take the message of inclusion to every taluka, every village, and every institution. Purple Fest must now evolve into a people’s movement that reaches every Goan household.”

Dessai echoed the sentiment, pledging continued government support. “We want measurable progress by the next edition – in accessible buildings, inclusive education, and employment. Goa will remain a model for how inclusion can be celebrated and implemented,” he said.

Plans are already underway for several post-fest initiatives, including accessibility audits of public buildings, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with industries to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The organisers are also considering smaller, district-level Purple events to sustain engagement and momentum throughout the year. Delegates unanimously agreed that this edition marked a true turning point — for the first time, everything was truly accessible.

The success of the International Purple Fest 2025 will be celebrated alongside only celebrated inclusion, as plans will be worked on to redefine the next edition to take it a notch higher. The next edition may still be months away, but the spirit of the Purple Fest — one of visibility, equality and respect — will continue to shape conversations and policy long after the curtains have come down on the fest.