Latest news with #PurpleFest
Time of India
06-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
21 ambassadors to promote inclusivity at Purple Fest '25
Panaji: Twenty-one persons overcoming different disabilities have been appointed as Purple Ambassadors for Goa govt's Purple Fest, scheduled between Oct 9 and 12 in Panaji. Most ambassadors are women, and three are from Goa. The 21 individuals represent a different disability each and include an acid attack survivor, persons with low vision, locomotor disability, haemophilia, dwarfism, autism, muscular dystrophy, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other disabilities. The 2025 edition of the Purple Fest will emphasise participation from rural regions to ensure that voices from all corners of the country are represented. The Purple Ambassadors will engage in on-ground and online outreach to promote the fest, participate in key segments of the festival, contribute to inclusive dialogues, offer feedback to improve accessibility and inclusivity of the festival, and continue advocacy for disability rights within their regions post the festival. Minister for empowerment of persons with disabilities, Subhash Phal Dessai, said the individuals are 'not just representatives but change-makers who will lead the way in promoting accessibility, awareness, and dignity for persons with disability'. Director of the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities, Varsha Naik, said each Purple Ambassador was carefully chosen not just for representation but for their potential to inspire, engage and create change.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
100 elite disabled players to feature at World Chess Championship
The 23rd IPCA World Individual Chess Championship 2024 was held in Gyumri, Armenia, last year Panaji: A total of 100 elite chess players from more than 20 countries are expected to take part in the 24th World IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association) Individual Chess Championship in Dona Paula from Monday. The tournament celebrates inclusivity and competitive spirit and has attracted players from Russia, Israel, Poland, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Germany, South Africa, UAE, Sri Lanka, and others Positioned as part of Goa's 'Purple Fest', the championship dovetails with the state's mission to empower persons with disabilities through inclusive platforms. Organisers have described the event as a "unifying and empowering force," championing accessible global sporting excellence. The tournament is jointly organised by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Govt of Goa, State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Goa Chess Association for Persons with Disabilities, and the Chess Federation for Physically Disabled. Social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai is the chairman of the organising committee. Notable international participants include IM Gurbanov Andrei (Israel), FM Molenda Marcin (Poland), FM Severino Sander (Philippines), IM Obodchuk Andrei (FIDE), FM Vit Vaclav Valenta (Czech Republic), besides India's CM Samarth Rao and FM Venkata Krishna Karthick, the reigning Asian Para Champion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Rao was selected to represent India in Goa following his second-place finish at the 5th National Chess Championship for Specially Abled Players in June. Three best federations overall, by ranking medals collected in all categories among men, women, juniors and girls, will receive trophies. For ranking, the number of gold medals will be considered first, and if there is a tie, then the number of silver medals, and if there is still a tie, the number of bronze medals will be added.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Persons with intellectual disabilities poised to get school-level certificates
Panaji: To enable persons with intellectual disabilities to seek employment, Goa govt is working on a policy to issue HSSC and SSC equivalent certificates to such individuals. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that providing training and certifications will allow persons with intellectual disabilities to qualify for govt jobs under the 4% reservation quota for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Before rolling out the policy, state govt will discuss the proposal with the Goa education board, the directorate of education, NGOs, policymakers, and other stakeholders, Sawant said. 'Those with intellectual disabilities do not get formal certificates. While we need to think of skilling initiatives for those with intellectual disabilities, we are also thinking of giving them certificates,' he said. 'Goa will be the first state to give certificates equivalent to SSC and HSSC to those with intellectual disabilities.' The chief minister made the announcement after announcing the dates for Purple Fest 2025. This year, the Purple Fest will be held in Goa from Oct 9 to 12, with pre-events and post-event activities also scheduled. 'Purple Fest is not just for sports and culture but also for policymaking,' Sawant said. He said that the department for empowerment of PwDs and the office of the state commissioner for PwDs have initiated a survey of PwDs living in Goa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So viel kostet Finanzierung einer Solaranlage in 2025 Febesol Mehr erfahren Undo The survey will also include acquired disabilities, such as hearing loss, Parkinson's disease, walking disorders, and other age-related ailments. Minister for social welfare Subhash Phal Desai said that govt is also going to provide Purple Catalyst Grants to young designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and artists who use inclusive design while creating tools and products for PwDs.
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"They sang with their hearts, not voices": President Murmu moved at NIEPVD in Dehradun
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 20 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu grew visibly emotional during her visit to the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun on Friday, as students sang a heartfelt birthday song dedicated to her. 'It seemed they were singing with their hearts, not voices,' she said, fighting back tears. President Murmu was felicitated at the institute by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During her visit, she also inaugurated the newly constructed Rashtrapati Niketan on Rajpur Road. President Murmu became visibly emotional as students of the institute extended birthday wishes to her with a heartfelt song performance. Speaking at the event, President Murmu praised the students' cultural performance, saying, 'The tears did not stop from my eyes. It seemed to me that they were not singing from their necks; they were singing with their hearts--as if God himself resided in their voices.' President Murmu appreciated the institute's role in empowering the visually impaired. 'I am delighted to be among all of you in this institute dedicated to visually impaired persons. I deeply appreciate all those associated with this institution for their contribution to providing education and training, employment opportunities, and raising awareness in society,' she said. She said that a nation's progress can be judged by how it treats persons with disabilities, and added that India's civilizational values are rooted in compassion and inclusion. The President noted that the National Education Policy 2020 includes specific provisions for ensuring equal learning opportunities for differently-abled children. She also mentioned the Accessible India Campaign as a major step toward creating inclusive environments across public and government spaces. Highlighting initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said, 'In the month of March this year, the Purple Fest was organised in Amrit Udyan to celebrate the talent, achievements, and aspirations of persons with disabilities.' Calling education a 'powerful medium of empowerment,' the President expressed satisfaction that NIEPVD's Adarsh Vidyalaya students excel in computers, science, music, and sports. Meanwhile, according to the President's Secretariat, the President will release a postage stamp at Raj Bhavan, Nainital, on the completion of its 125 years. On June 21, the President will participate in a mass yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan, Dehradun on the International Yoga Day. (ANI)
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Two JSS PDA's special students take part in Delhi's Purple Fest-2025
Two final-year students – Kavita and Monish from the Department of Jewellery Design and Technology at the JSS Polytechnic for the Differently-Abled (JSS PDA), Mysuru – represented their institution in the Purple Fest Delhi 2025 held last month at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The event was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. During the festival, the students showcased their exceptional skills in jewellery design, drawing the attention and admiration of VIPs and visitors, a note from the JSS PDA said. 'Their intricate work not only highlighted their creativity and technological knowledge but also served as a testament to the institute's commitment to empowering differently-abled students through skill development,' said school principal B. Elangovan, in the release. According to a PIB release, Purple Fest features literary discussions, sports activities, and corporate collaborations - all aimed at fostering an inclusive society. The event celebrated inclusivity, empowerment, and talent, bringing together diverse voices, thought leaders, and corporate partners to shape a more accessible future for 'Divyangjan'.
