Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa is preparing to host the third edition of the International Purple Fest, a four-day celebration of accessibility and inclusion that has evolved into a global movement. Scheduled from October 9 to 12, 2025, this year’s festival promises to go beyond festivities, turning inclusion into a way of life. Co-organised by the United Nations, the event will bring together delegates from more than 30 countries, making it one of the most influential global platforms for disability rights and empowerment. The 2025 edition places a special focus on rural inclusion, ensuring that the spirit of accessibility extends beyond Goa’s cities to its villages.
The festival has been shaped under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Minister for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Subhash Phaldessai, and State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar. Together, they have transformed Goa’s approach to accessibility, awareness, and empowerment. Pawaskar notes that Purple Fest is much more than an annual event it is a movement that has significantly increased awareness and sensitisation among non-disabled individuals. Beyond the four days of celebration, the Commission continues year-round training programs, having trained more than 5,000 government employees across sectors such as tourism, transport, and public works. Significantly, these sessions are conducted by persons with disabilities themselves, adding authenticity and impact.
The ripple effect of Purple Fest is visible across the state. The Prime Minister Divyanshu Kendra at Goa Medical College in Bambolim now provides free aids and appliances to persons with disabilities and senior citizens, benefitting more than 3,000 individuals. The Spine Injury Rehabilitation Centre at Rugnashraya offers free rehabilitation services, reducing the need for patients to travel out of state. Distribution of wheelchairs, modified scooters, and two-wheelers has given many the freedom to move independently, participate in programs, and earn livelihoods. For the first time, wheelchair-accessible rickshaws have been introduced across Goa, allowing students and workers with disabilities to travel safely and with dignity.
Accessibility improvements have gone beyond individual support. In Panjim, more than 150 public spaces, including restaurants, hotels, and tourist facilities, have been upgraded for accessibility, benefitting not only persons with disabilities but also senior citizens, pregnant women, and others. Goa has also created a separate department for Persons with Disabilities, headed by Minister Subhash Phaldessai, to roll out policies and schemes that support inclusion across the state.
The upcoming edition of Purple Fest introduces several exciting firsts. Rural Purple Ambassadors will represent India’s villages, ensuring that grassroots perspectives are brought to the global stage. Participants with disabilities will have the opportunity to try adventure sports such as scuba diving and parasailing, proving that accessibility can extend beyond land and into water and air. Advanced technologies such as Bluetooth beacons, QR code navigation, real-time speech-to-text, and audio description services will ensure every participant can engage with the festival independently.
Knowledge sharing remains a central theme, with conferences and think tanks focusing on inclusive education, assistive technology, employment, sports, and culture. More than 100 stalls will showcase innovative products and services designed by and for persons with disabilities. The cultural calendar is equally vibrant, featuring Purple Rain concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings, Zumba sessions, and community performances. Public spaces will transform into “Purple Streets,” bringing music, art installations, and live shows into the heart of the city and making inclusion a shared community experience.
More than 1,300 beneficiaries will receive aids and appliances worth nearly ₹2 crore during the event, with accessible vans ensuring smooth transportation across venues. Pawaskar emphasises that the true success of Purple Fest lies in the positive shift it inspires, as society becomes more empathetic and inclusive. Purple Fest, he says, is not just an event — it is a blueprint for a future where accessibility, opportunity, and creativity transform lives every day.
