The Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and the United Nations India, organised this international festival, which took place from October 9 to October 12. It brought together communities, activists, and experts from all over the world to celebrate and advance the cause of disability rights. In this article, we will cover all the details related to Goa’s Purple Fair 2025, and it will assist in building a platform where every participation is valued.
ALSO READ- India’s National Red List Roadmap: An Initiative for Conservation till 2030
What is Purple Fair 2025?
The Purple Fest, also called as the International Purple Fest Goa, is a groundbreaking international event with an intent towards inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment of people with disabilities. It is organised by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, the Secretary of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Government of India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the United Nations India. The festival takes place every year in Goa and focuses on developing “Inclusive Thinking” as the basis for Universal Design with the aim of creating a world that welcomes and includes everyone, no matter their ability. The event was held at Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa.
The event has a variety of activities, such as workshops, cultural performances, sporting events, such as the Paralympic Boccia tournament, and experience zones tailored to offer inclusive environments. It prioritises accessibility infrastructure such as ramps, braille signs, sign language interpretation, live captioning, and sensory rooms so that everybody has the chance to participate.
What Is the Significance of Using the Purple Colour for This Event?
In this international festival that unites people from any background or disabilities to participate equally. Purple is a powerful colour deeply tied to dignity, power, and independence—the very conditions the disability rights movement strives to cultivate. This symbolism informed a festival that was not merely a collection of events, but a vibrant, energetic experience based on Inclusive Thinking, the underpinning philosophy of Universal Design. The Fest created a culture that made accessibility not an afterthought, but the norm—ramps, lifts, unisex accessible toilets, live captioning, tactile interpretation, and more, so that nobody was left behind.
Key Announcements at the GOA Purple Fair-
Three key announcements have been implemented at the International Purple Festival in Goa by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, the Secretary of the Department of Persons with Disabilities. The initiatives were declared in the presence of dignitaries like Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of Goa, and Shri Taha Haaziq, the Secretary to the State Commissioner to the Person with Disabilities (SCPD) in Goa:
- Launch of the accessible IELTS Training Handbook for individuals with disabilities, offering available tools and ISL resources to prepare for IELTS.
- Successful completion and future certification of the Recognition of Prior Learning course for ISL interpretation for siblings of deaf adults and children of deaf adults.
- Launching a specialised training program in British and American Sign Languages to advance global opportunities for ISL professionals.
Different Events Organised in Purple Fair-
Purple Street:
It is a lively street festival that brings together people with disabilities, NGOs, organisations, and artisans in a festive atmosphere. The event includes dance, music, art competition and interactive stalls organised by special schools. It is designed to promote cultural exposure and engage participants in various activities that showcase the talents of individuals with disabilities and their allies.
Purple Think Tank:
A platform for creative thinkers, experts, policymakers, and activists to discuss on issues of disability rights, inclusion and exchange of ideas, research, and policy conversations to drive systemic change and inclusive thinking as a basis for universal design.
Purple Experience Zone:
The Purple Experience Zone provides interactive, experiential activities in which visitors learn by doing and gain an understanding of the challenges of living with a disability. The zone seeks to foster empathy and knowledge through simulations and exhibits that introduce assistive technologies and accessible design principles.
Purple Exhibition:
The Purple Exhibition showcases works of art, products, innovation, and projects that were made by or for people with disabilities. It features inclusive design, adaptive technologies, and artworks that promote diversity and economic and social empowerment.
Purple Rain:
Purple Rain can be a symbolic occurrence or part that might contain performances or visual displays highlighting the purple spirit of empowerment, dignity, and autonomy. It tends to contain thematic creative works in accordance with the festival’s theme of unity.
Purple Convention:
The Purple Convention is the conference component of the fest, which includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, and training sessions. It brings together stakeholders from across sectors to push disability-inclusive development agendas and collaborative work.
Purple Sports:
It includes competitive and recreational sport activities, for example, the Boccia tournament, which is a Paralympic sports activity for wheelchair participants. The activities support physical health through sports adapted to disability needs and social inclusion.
Purple Kaleidoscope:
In this event, various cultural performances—music, dance, drama—represent the diversity of identities and abilities within the disability community. It honours artistic diversity and encourages the pride of the community.
Purple Fun:
Purple Fun is committed to recreation and entertainment, making the fest enjoyable and accessible to all ages and abilities. It has games, interactive, and inclusive leisure activities to commemorate life and community.
Purple Spectrum:
Purple Spectrum symbolises the wide range of the fest’s contents, covering the whole spectrum of disability experience, creative concepts, and inclusive projects. It represents the festival’s comprehensive method of accepting and celebrating diversity and ability.
ALSO READ- India–UK Relations: A New Strategic Chapter
What is the Significance of Purple Fair 2025?
- The Purple Fair 2025 focuses on disability inclusion and empowerment on a worldwide stage.
- It develops accessible education and vocational training with creative tools such as the IELTS Training Handbook.
- It stands for the recognition and certification of Indian Sign Language (ISL) competence, fostering professional prospects.
- Boosts International Sign Language Training (ASL and BSL) to facilitate global communication.
- It fosters universal design and inclusive thinking in social frameworks and policies.
- The fair adaptive sports and cultural abilities promote pride and participation in local communities.
- It makes the space accessible through amenities such as ramps, sign language interpretation, sensory rooms, and live captioning.
- Also, enables knowledge exchange, policy conversation, and collective work among stakeholders.
- Moreover, it signifies the dignity, independence, and rights of individuals with disabilities.
- Lastly, the fair provides a standard for accessible events as examples of inclusion and universal engagement.
Conclusion-
More than just an event, the International Purple Fest Goa 2025 was a crucial movement emphasising the value of accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities. The Fest demonstrated how inclusive thinking and universal design can create barrier-free environments by uniting communities, innovators, policymakers, and experts from around the world. It honoured the rights, autonomy, and dignity of people with disabilities while fostering educational, professional, and social opportunities.