Three individuals with disabilities from Goa have been selected as Purple Ambassadors for the upcoming International Purple Fest, Goa – 2024, scheduled from 8th-13th January 2023.
Prasad Joshi, a hearing-impaired person from Valpoi; Radhesh Varty, a person with Hemophilia from Nerul; and Panaji-based Vishant Nagvekar, person with a locomotor disability; will represent their specific disabilities with which each of these icons have excelled in their own rights.
The International Purple Fest, Goa – 2024 is India’s one-of-a-kind inclusive festival that celebrates persons with disabilities. This year three persons from Goa will now shine on a global platform advocating inclusivity and championing the cause of PwD’s (Persons with Disabilities).
Founder and General Secretary of Goa Association of the Deaf (GAD) Prasad Joshi, has been creating awareness for the inclusion of Indian Sign Language in schools. He feels honoured to have been selected as one of the ambassadors for International Purple Fest, Goa – 2024.
“It’s an amazing feeling, but it also comes with responsibility. I have to represent the deaf community and bring their issues and concerns to the appropriate authorities. At the same time, I want to celebrate our achievements and showcase our abilities to the world,” said Joshi, who currently holds the position of Lower Division Clerk at Goa University. In addition, Joshi serves as a Vice-President of the All India Deaf Arts & Culture Society and has received the title of ‘Best Government Employee in the Disability Category’ from the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Goa.
Joshi hopes that through Purple Fest Indian Sign Language will be recognised as India’s 23rd official language.
Entrepreneur Radhesh Varty, who has had Hemophilia – a blood disorder since birth, established ‘Padma Printers’ in Nerul. He actively supports the Hemophilia Society, encouraging economic independence for disabled individuals in Panaji. He said “My primary goal is to uplift individuals with disabilities and help them earn a livelihood and to create a society where everyone has equal opportunities.”
Varty believes that positive steps are being taken by the government to improve the lives of disabled individuals in Goa. “I wish that fellow disabled individuals feel empowered and recognise their own worth,” he said.
Vishant Nagvekar with an 89% locomotor disability, works for the Forest Department, Government of Goa and is an active member of the advisory committee of the Goa State Commissioner’s Office for Persons with Disabilities. Nagvekar, known for raising awareness about various issues of the disability community for many years, said: “I am proud to have been chosen as a Purple Fest Ambassador. This honour will motivate me to work even harder for the betterment of people with disabilities.”
In the first edition he was part of the organising team for the All-India Purple Para-Table Tennis Championship, where 117 para players from all over India participated. This year, too, he plans to organise a similar event for the International Purple Fest, Goa – 2024. Nagvekar believes that sports can unite people with disabilities that can also benefit their physical and mental well-being.
Purple Fest will have Purple Ambassadors representing each of the 21 types of disabilities listed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 along with significant inclusion of Spinal Cord Injury. Thus, it is a matter of great pride that three of these ambassadors are Goan.
