Panaji: The International Purple Fest – Goa 2025 is set to return for its third and largest edition, emerging as a global movement for inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment. Scheduled from October 9 to 12, 2025, the Fest is organised by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and United Nations India.
Now recognised as one of the world’s largest inclusive festivals, International Purple Fest 2025 will host delegations from 25 countries, welcome over 10,000 registered participants, and is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors over four days.
Under the leadership of Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the event underscores Goa’s commitment to a rights-based, technology-driven approach to inclusion. The state has also established a Department of Employment of Persons with Disabilities to further strengthen its efforts toward empowerment and livelihood opportunities.
A major highlight this year is the transformation of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) complex into a fully accessible venue. The upgraded infrastructure now includes wheelchair-friendly pathways, tactile floor indicators, unisex accessible toilets, sensory rooms, and real-time speech-to-text and sign language interpretation systems. For the first time, the venue will also feature tactile maps, calm rooms, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools for neurodiverse participants.
Speaking on the announcement Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities stated that “Accessibility and technology must go hand in hand. Through the Purple Fest app and the new infrastructure at ESG, we are ensuring that inclusion is not a slogan but a lived experience. Goa is proud to set a national benchmark in integrating accessibility into public infrastructure every ramp, sign, and digital feature has been designed to uphold the dignity and autonomy of every participant.”
He further noted that the festival has grown into a movement “In just three years, Purple Fest has transcended boundaries and inspired similar initiatives across India. With the support of the United Nations and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, we are making accessibility a standard, not a privilege.”
Shri. Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, said “Through the International Purple Fest, Goa has demonstrated how policy, technology, and participation can converge to create a truly inclusive environment. Our focus has been to ensure that every aspect of this festival physical, digital, and sensory—is designed through consultation with persons with disabilities themselves. This participatory model will serve as a framework for accessible governance in the years to come.”
Varsha Naik, Director, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, shared insights into the participatory design process and stated that “ Every feature was tested by persons with disabilities themselves from tactile signage to navigation tools. A digital accessibility survey with over 1,000 participants ensured practicality and precision. This framework will serve as a blueprint for all future government events in Goa.”
Shri. Taha Haaziq, Secretary Office of State Commissioner for Person with Disabilities stated “With this year’s theme of ‘Rural Inclusion,’ our focus extends beyond cities to the heart of India’s villages. True empowerment happens when accessibility and opportunity reach every home and every community. Through Purple Fest 2025, Goa reaffirms its commitment to building an inclusive ecosystem that bridges the rural-urban divide and ensures that no one is left behind.”
Accessibility consultant and journalist Shri. Prakash Kamat observed that “Goa’s shift toward technology-enabled accessibility marks a clear departure from charity-based disability models to rights-based empowerment. The seamless blend of innovation, policy, and empathy at ESG represents the future of inclusive governance.”
Complementing these physical upgrades is the introduction of the Purple Fest mobile application, developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi. A team of 50 IITians worked on-site for nearly three weeks to create and fine-tune this accessibility tool.
The app provides indoor navigation, audio descriptions, QR code-enabled accessibility support, tactile guidance, and location-based alerts, enabling participants to navigate venues independently, access real-time event information, and connect to assistive services.
The International Purple Fest 2025 will feature:
* 25 global conferences and think tanks on inclusion and accessibility
* 200 exhibition stalls showcasing assistive technology and innovation
* 10 international para-sport events
* Signature cultural experiences including Purple Conventions, Purple Street, Purple Kaleidoscope, and Purple Rain, celebrating talent and diversity among persons with disabilities
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, mobile therapy units will be launched to deliver physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy directly to homes—particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Additionally, health and accessibility testing kiosks capable of conducting up to 65 functional assessments in under 10 minutes will debut at the Fest, merging healthcare with innovation.
With the theme “Rural Inclusion,” the 2025 edition focuses on extending equal opportunities beyond cities. Rural Ambassadors from across India have been selected to represent their communities, sharing stories of resilience and aspiration from village contexts.
As Goa welcomes delegates from across the world, the International Purple Fest 2025 stands as a symbol of collaboration between government, technology, and citizens a reflection of Goa’s leadership in inclusive policy, accessibility innovation, and social transformation.
