CM looks at making Purple Fest annual event

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant offered to make the Purple Fest an annual event if other states do not show interest in hosting it. The festival is India’s first inclusive event celebrating persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Sawant said the reservation quota in Goa is the highest in the nation, which has been increased from 3% to 4%. “Goa government has the highest paying pension of Rs 3,500 for 80% of the retired disabled while the rest get Rs 2,000.”
He added that efforts are under way to make more buildings accessible and UDID certificates for the PwDs are being fast tracked. He also went on to list the several initiatives taken up by the central government for the benefit of the disability community.
“PwDs can be self-sufficient and we can work together to accomplish that,” the chief minister said.
At the event, 21 ambassadors of the 21 recognised disabilities in India were introduced to the public. An MoU of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was signed on stage with NGOs to empower PwDs in the employment sector. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said that it will soon hold a programme on disability inclusion at workplaces and also launch the CII award for excellence in inclusion.
There are 120 competitions organised for PwDs and 90 stalls have been erected at the festival venue which exhibit the innovations of the PwDs.
Panaji is the most accessible city in the country with disability accessibility-friendly infrastructure, said minister for social welfare Subhash Phaldesai. In preparation for the Purple Fest, ramps were installed in some buildings in the city and at Miramar beach.
Speaking at the inaugural of the festival, he urged industrialists to employ persons with disabilities and make the most of the skills and talents of the community.
“We must utilise the solid force and bring them into the mainstream. Sensitisation needs to be carried out in this regard. We need to strengthen our laws and acts to give justice to PwDs.”
He said the festival should be made an annual event so that PwDs come together, exhibit their talents and showcase their ideas. “Technology has changed this world and we have ample scope to use it for the support of PwDs,” he added.