Goa, often called the land of sunshine and susegad, has once again shown the rest of India what true inclusivity looks like. The Purple Fest — India’s unique festival celebrating diversity and the rights of persons with disabilities — is much more than a government event or an awareness campaign. It is a movement that redefines how society views disability, ability, and dignity.
In most public spaces and social settings, persons with disabilities are still treated with sympathy rather than respect, and with charity rather than equality. Purple Fest challenges this mindset. It turns the spotlight on ability, creativity, and resilience, showing that disability is not a limitation but a different way of experiencing the world.
From wheelchair dancers to visually impaired musicians, from deaf artists creating stunning visual pieces to children with autism expressing themselves through theatre — the festival offers a platform for individuals who are too often invisible in the mainstream. It celebrates their talent in a space that is accessible, welcoming, and affirming.
But the significance of Purple Fest goes beyond its performances and exhibitions. Its real power lies in how it sensitizes society. For the first time, many people without disabilities get to witness the barriers others face daily — from the lack of ramps to inaccessible transport or insensitive attitudes. The festival opens conversations about these realities in a way that no lecture or policy document ever could. It humanizes the issue.
The Goa government deserves credit for institutionalizing the festival and making it an annual event. By doing so, it has ensured that inclusion is not just discussed but demonstrated. The infrastructure created for the festii — ramps, tactile signage, accessible restrooms, and shuttle services — benefits not only participants but also sets a standard for future public events. Accessibility, after all, is not charity. It is a right.
Purple Fest also drives home an important economic argument. Inclusion makes business sense. By ensuring accessibility, hotels, restaurants, and public venues attract a wider audience. Tourism, one of Goa’s lifelines, can only benefit from being inclusive. When the world sees Goa as a destination that welcomes everyone — regardless of physical ability — it enhances the state’s global image.
Another positive outcome of the festival is the employment and entrepreneurship opportunities it promotes. Through job fairs, skill-building workshops, and stalls featuring products made by persons with disabilities, Purple Fest helps bridge the gap between ability and livelihood. It showcases how, with the right support, persons with disabilities can be equal contributors to the economy.
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of the festival is its focus on awareness and policy dialogue. Experts, NGOs, educators, and government officials come together to discuss critical issues like inclusive education, accessibility in governance, and social security measures. These sessions are not mere formalities — they often lead to concrete policy steps. For example, the momentum from previous editions of Purple Fest has already pushed authorities to make public buildings and beaches more accessible.
The fest also gives families of persons with disabilities a sense of community and hope. For many parents, particularly in rural areas, raising a child with a disability can be an isolating experience. At Purple Fest, they see that they are not alone. They witness their children being celebrated, not pitied. That kind of social affirmation can be life-changing.
Beyond Goa, Purple Fest offers a model for the rest of India. Every state should have its own version — a festival that not only celebrates disability but also challenges the ableist attitudes that remain deeply ingrained in our society. True progress will come when inclusion becomes an everyday reality, not a once-a-year event.
Purple Fest is not just a festival; it is a reminder that a truly developed society is one where everyone can participate fully and with dignity. Goa has lit the way — it is now up to the rest of India to keep that light shining.
