Goa witnessed a powerful demonstration of unity, empathy and inclusion with the successful hosting of “Stride for Equality – Run for Inclusion”, an inclusive run flagged off from Miramar Circle on Sunday morning.
More than just a marathon, the event emerged as a people’s movement—calling upon citizens to stand together for equality, dignity and true inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The initiative was led by Rotary International District 3170 and jointly organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Office of the State
Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, and Rotary Club of Bardez Coastal Charitable Trust, in collaboration with the Disability Alliance for Inclusive Goa.
Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Varsha Naik, Director-Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for
Persons with Disabilities & President Rotary club of Bardez Coastal, Arun Bhandare, District Governor, and Assistant Governor Ramesh Tiwari graced the occasion.
Designed to be fully inclusive and accessibility-enabled, the run featured multiple
categories—3 km and 5 km—ensuring participation across age groups and abilities.
With accessibility support integrated into the event, participants with and without
disabilities ran side by side, reinforcing the message that inclusion begins with equal
participation.
Supporting the event, Pawaskar, stated “Stride for Equality is not merely a run; it is a strong statement that inclusion is a shared responsibility. When society comes together in such a visible and participatory manner, it sends a clear message that Persons with Disabilities deserve equal
respect, access and opportunities in every sphere of life”.
Speaking on the occasion, Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities & President Rotary club of Bardez Coastal, stated, “Stride for Equality truly captures the essence of inclusion, where policy intent translates into people-centric participation. By prioritising accessibility and ensuring that everyone feels welcome, this initiative sets a benchmark for organising public events with dignity, sensitivity and equity at the core.”
District Governor, and Assistant Governor Rtn. Ramesh Tiwari said: “At Rotary, we believe in service above self. Stride for Equality embodies this belief by transforming a run into a movement for social change. Seeing participants of all abilities running together reaffirms our commitment to building a more compassionate, inclusive and humane society.”
The core objective of hosting the event was to build a visible, collective voice for
inclusion—encouraging citizens to support persons with disabilities, run for humanity and unity, and become part of a larger nationwide movement for social change. The
enthusiastic participation and strong public response underscored Goa’s growing commitment to inclusive development and equal opportunities for all.
