PANAJI: The Goa government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the United Nations, will host the International Purple Fest 2025 from October 9 to 12. Now in its third edition and second as an international event, the festival has evolved from a state-level initiative into a global platform championing inclusivity, accessibility and universal design.
Unveiling the event at a press conference today, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described Purple Fest as “a global movement that shifts the focus from sympathy to empathy, and from awareness to action.” He said Goa’s inclusive model is being adopted by other states, and last year’s edition saw participation from over 15 countries. “We are building a model of inclusion that others are now replicating,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government is considering issuing skill certificates equivalent to Class X or XII to persons with intellectual disabilities. “This will ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities can avail the benefits of job reservations and other government opportunities,” he said, adding that the move will be finalised in consultation with the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and the Department of Technical Education. He said the proposal aligns with the state’s long-term vision for Inclusive Goa 2030 and Viksit Goa 2047.
Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Subhash Phaldessai said Purple Fest is no longer just an event but a jan andolan, a people’s movement, pushing for a more inclusive society. “This year’s theme, Universal Design and Inclusive Thinking in Action, is not just a concept but a vision for the future,” he said. “Inclusion must be the starting point when planning policies and infrastructure. Accessibility is not a favour, it is a fundamental right.”
Explaining the principle of universal design, Phaldessai said it involves creating systems, spaces and services that work for everyone, whether it’s ramps for wheelchair users, tactile pathways for the visually impaired, or digital tools accessible to all. “International Purple Fest 2025 will be a powerful platform to showcase this vision in action,” he said.
He also announced the launch of Purple Catalyst Grants, a new initiative to support pilot projects and innovative ideas that emerge from the fest. “We invite designers, educators, engineers, artists and entrepreneurs to join the movement and help make Goa a global lighthouse for accessibility and inclusive growth,” said Phaldessai.
State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar echoed the sentiment, saying, “Purple Fest is no longer just an event. It has become a movement. When we hosted the first edition in 2023, even the Prime Minister spoke about it in his Mann ki Baat. Since then, many states have taken inspiration from Goa.”
He added that this year’s edition will feature exhibitions by NGOs, experiential zones, think-tank sessions, and a special Purple Street where persons with disabilities will operate live workstations. “For the first time, international participants with disabilities will also take part,” he said. A major highlight will be the Purple Sports segment, which will include adapted water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing and scuba diving.
Secretary of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Prasanna Acharya, praised Goa for being the first state to establish a dedicated department for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. “The vision is to build a society where persons with disabilities are respected, valued and empowered to lead independent, dignified lives,” he said.
Acharya said the department is committed to eliminating discrimination and ensuring access to education, healthcare, employment, mobility, communication and public participation. He also announced several new initiatives that are in the works, including a spinal cord injury rehabilitation scheme offering specialised, multidisciplinary care and sheltered workshops to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in safe, inclusive environments.
Registrations for the fest are now open through the IPFG app, available on the Play Store and App Store.
