Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on Tuesday, unveiled the logo of the ‘Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity’, a first of its kind inclusive festival on national level set to be organised in Goa from 6 to 8 January 2023.
It is being organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, in association with Directorate of Social Welfare and Entertainment Society of Goa.
Dr Sawant stated that Goa is a popular travel destination for people across the globe, known for its culture, its nature, its food but now on Goa would be known as one of the most favourite destinations for divyang.
Sawant lauded and congratulated Subhash Phaldessai, Minister for Social Welfare and Guruprasad Pawaskar, Goa State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for organising such festival that embraces, expresses and celebrates persons with disabilities.
Sawant noted Goa would be first state in the country to host India’s first of its kind inclusive festival and assured all kind of support from his part to make this festival a grand success and as popular as International Film Festival of India.
“A number of hotels, government buildings and other places around Panaji will be made accessible for persons with disabilities to ensure that this festival is accessible to all types of PwDs”, said Sawant.
In her remarks as celebrity guest at the logo launch event, Hema Sardesai, renowned artist, praised the Goa State Commission for PwDs for taking such an initiative and promised all kinds of support from her end.
Subhash Phaldessai, Minister of Social Welfare, announced at the logo launch event that over 2000 delegates have been already registered within just the ten days of registration opening.
Phaldessai further said, “Purple Fest is a first of its kind inclusive event which aims to showcase how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone”. He called on PwDs and persons with no disabilities across the nation to register for the fest and experience one of a kind celebration.
At the logo launch event also present were Taha Haziq, Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for PwDs, Siddharth Kuncalienker, Chairman, Sanjay Centre for Special Education, Prakash Kamat, State Disability Advisory Board member, Avelino De Sa, President, Disability Rights Association of Goa, Mahadev Sawant from National Association of Blind, Vishant Nagvekar, Goa State Commission advisory board member, special educators from various special schools, Anant Joshi of Goa Association of Deaf, Sagar Shetye President of Keshav Seva Sadhana, Neetal Amonkar, Member Secretary of Sanjay School, and Tatu Kudalkar, Headmaster of Sanjay school.
