Goa to host 3rd Purple Fest based on universal design
Panaji:
Goa will host the third Purple Fest, centred on the
Universal Design
theme, from Oct 10 to 12 at the ESG complex in Panaji. The minister for social welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities, Subhash Phal Dessai, urged
persons with disabilities
(PwDs) and related organisations to attend.
'The theme is Universal Design for all, not just PwDs,' said Commissioner for PwDs, Guruprasad Pawaskar. 'Universal design encompasses
accessible infrastructure
, buildings, transportation, websites, etc.,' Pawaskar said.
This edition will include more experience zones to help non-disabled people understand life with disabilities. 'This will help people develop empathy for PwDs instead of pity or charity,' he said.
The fest will showcase the latest aids, appliances, technologies, and home modifications for the disabled and elderly. It will also include sports and national championships, including international events and disability conferences.
Last year's edition had at least 50,000 attendees, and govt has already started getting inquiries about the fest after Dessai's appeal, he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
"Assistive Devices Worth ₹21.27 Lakhs Distributed to 93 Differently-Abled Persons in Gadwal".
Gadwal: District Collector B.M. Santhosh emphasized that differently-abled individuals should fully utilize the welfare schemes provided by the Central and State Governments. He stated that inclusive development and empowerment of every individual with disabilities is a key priority of the government. On Friday, a distribution event was held at the IDOC meeting hall under the aegis of the Department of Women, Child, Senior Citizens, and Differently-Abled Welfare, in collaboration with the Central Government. As part of the initiative, 114 high-tech assistive devices worth ₹21.27 lakhs were distributed to 93 eligible beneficiaries from the district through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO). The devices were handed over by Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy and District Collector Santhosh. Speaking on the occasion, the Collector said that the government is always ready to listen to and address the issues faced by differently-abled citizens. He recalled that a special camp was held on September 28 in Gattu mandal, where eligible beneficiaries were identified, and the required assistive aids were prepared and now provided. The initiative was carried out with the support of ALIMCO, a Government of India enterprise. He also highlighted various ongoing welfare programs for persons with disabilities (PwDs), such as: ₹4,000 monthly pension 4% reservation in government jobs Financial subsidies UDID cards for nationwide access to facilities He urged all differently-abled individuals to avail themselves of these schemes confidently and move forward with self-reliance. The distributed equipment included: 28 standard tricycles 35 battery-operated tricycles 7 wheelchairs 8 walking sticks 4 crutches 16 BTE (Behind-The-Ear) digital hearing aids with zinc-air batteries 12 TLM kits 2 accessible canes (Sugamya Canes) 2 smartphones equipped with screen readers MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, speaking at the event, reiterated the commitment of both the Central and State Governments to the welfare of the differently-abled. He acknowledged ALIMCO's role in supplying the much-needed equipment and assured continued efforts to provide more opportunities and support in the future. The program was attended by Additional Collectors Lakshmi Narayana and Narsinga Rao, District Welfare Officer Sunanda, ALIMCO representative Sunita Das, and several beneficiaries along with their families. This initiative reflects the government's inclusive approach toward social welfare and its commitment to ensuring dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Renovated public toilet in Sector 22 PwD & trans-friendly
Chandigarh: Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar Friday inaugurated the renovated public toilet at the booth market in Sector 22B. It can now be easily accessible for PwDs, the visually impaired, and children. Besides, it has a dedicated transgender washroom and a sanitary vending machine for women. The renovation was undertaken on a special demand from the market association and was completed in accordance with the latest guidelines. tnn
United News of India
4 days ago
- United News of India
AU SFB partners with IFC to integrate climate risk management into core banking strategy
Hyderabad, June 4 (UNI) Marking World Environment Day with a commitment to sustainable finance, AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India's largest small finance bank, on Wednesday said it has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to undertake a comprehensive climate risk advisory program. Through this initiative, AU SFB will embed climate risk considerations into its governance frameworks, strategic planning, risk management processes, and ESG disclosures – aligning with global best practices and evolving regulatory expectations, the bank said in a release. IFC will serve as AU SFB's lead ESG and climate risk advisor, supporting AU SFB in addressing the growing need for financial institutions to quantify, disclose, and manage climate-related financial risks. The engagement also aligns with the Reserve Bank of India's recent climate disclosure guidelines and global frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The collaboration reaffirms AU SFB's commitment to resilient banking systems and sustainable financial inclusion it will include three key components: A detailed evaluation of AU SFB's loan portfolio exposure to physical hazards such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. Using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate scenarios and long-term projections (up to 2100), this study will produce a risk heatmap highlighting vulnerable geographies and sectors. Analysis of potential financial exposure arising from policy shifts, market transitions, and technological disruptions linked to India's low-carbon goals. AU SFB will use Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) scenarios to model these risks. Application of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials methodology to measure financed emissions (Scope 3, Category 15) across key asset classes — including corporate loans, SME finance, real estate, and sovereign bonds — for FY 2024–25 and FY 2025–26. To support the technical execution of this advisory program, IFC will work with StepChange, a specialized climate risk solutions provider, for analytical modeling and quantification. Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, " This partnership with IFC represents a strategic inflection point in AU SFB's sustainability journey. By systematically integrating climate considerations into our risk architecture and decision-making, we aim to future-proof our portfolio and mobile capital for India's climate transition. This initiative aligns with our dual commitment to responsible banking and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders." AU SFB has already demonstrated strong sustainability leadership by launching a Green Fixed Deposit product that has raised Rs 1,178 crore as of March 31, 2025, with proceeds allocated exclusively to Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation sectors. The bank has achieved a Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating of 17.1 (Low Risk) and holds an AA rating in the MSCI ESG assessment. UNI KNR BM
