Svayam Partners with CII to Drive Inclusive Tourism and Sports at Purple Fest 2025

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Delhi, 09 October 2025 – In an effort to promote a more inclusive future, Svayam, India’s leading accessibility organization, has strengthened its commitment to inclusive development through active and positive participation at the Purple Fest 2025 in Goa. As part of this initiative, Svayam collaborated with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to host a Consultative Roundtable on Inclusive Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports, led by Ms. Sminu Jindal, the Founder-Chairperson of Svayam and the Chair of CII’s India Business Disability Network.

This roundtable discussion, held on the eve of the official Purple Fest 2025 inauguration, served as a significant prelude to the festivities, setting the stage for one of the most important conversations on accessibility in India. The event brought together prominent figures and stakeholders from the government, industry, and civil society to discuss how tourism and sports sectors can be made more accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities.

Purple Fest: A Platform for Inclusive Dialogue and Action

The Purple Fest 2025, a flagship event for disability awareness, is set to play a pivotal role in bringing together various stakeholders committed to building a more inclusive India. The festival is a vibrant gathering of diverse communities, and it serves as a platform for discussing important issues related to disability inclusion, accessible tourism, and sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The Consultative Roundtable on Inclusive Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports, hosted in collaboration with CII and Purple Fest, focused on exploring actionable solutions that could help make India’s tourism and sports sectors more inclusive for people with disabilities. The goal was to identify key challenges and devise strategies to ensure that every individual, regardless of their physical abilities, can experience and enjoy these sectors to their fullest potential.

Promoting Accessible Tourism and Hospitality

The roundtable featured insightful discussions on how inclusive tourism is becoming a cornerstone for India’s growth as a global tourism destination. As more countries and regions embrace accessibility, there is a growing demand for travel experiences that cater to individuals with disabilities. India, with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, holds immense potential to become a global leader in accessible tourism.

The key discussion points revolved around:

1. Improving Infrastructure: Making tourist destinations, hotels, and transportation systems accessible to people with disabilities is fundamental to inclusive tourism. This includes adding wheelchair ramps, accessible toilets, visual aids, and other assistive technologies in both public and private spaces.
2. Training in Hospitality: Educating hotel staff, tourism professionals, and travel agencies about disability awareness and inclusive hospitality practices is essential. By creating a culture of inclusivity within the hospitality industry, India can ensure that every traveler feels welcomed, comfortable, and supported.
3. Accessible Activities and Experiences: In addition to accessible accommodations, it’s important to ensure that tourism activities, whether cultural tours, nature hikes, or entertainment events, are inclusive. Adventure tourism, for example, can be tailored for people with physical disabilities, offering adapted experiences such as wheelchair-accessible safaris, adaptive sports, and guided tours.

Inclusive Sports for Empowerment

Equally significant is the promotion of inclusive sports in India. The roundtable also highlighted the need for creating an ecosystem that encourages individuals with disabilities to actively participate in sports, whether for recreation or competition. Sports play a vital role in fostering self-confidence, community engagement, and personal development for people with disabilities.

1. Sports Facilities: The need to build and upgrade sports facilities to make them accessible for people with disabilities was a key topic of discussion. This includes installing accessible seating, adaptive equipment, and ensuring that all venues comply with international standards for accessibility.
2. Promoting Disability Sports: The roundtable also called for increased government support and corporate sponsorships for disability sports. India has tremendous talent in paralympic sports, and with the right support, this talent can be nurtured to compete on the world stage. More inclusive events such as Paralympic competitions and adaptive sports festivals can help highlight the abilities of disabled athletes and inspire future generations.
3. Community Engagement: Encouraging local communities to support and engage in disability sports is also a key component of making India’s sports culture more inclusive. Schools, colleges, and youth organizations can be encouraged to integrate adaptive sports into their curricula and activities, creating more opportunities for young disabled athletes to grow.

Prominent Leaders at the Roundtable

The Consultative Roundtable was graced by distinguished figures, including Shri Subhash Pal Dessai, Minister of Social Justice, Government of Goa, who emphasized the importance of government initiatives to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. He pointed out that the government’s role is crucial in providing policy support and ensuring that accessibility becomes a fundamental part of the development agenda.

Also present was Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, Chief Disability Commissioner of Goa, who shared insights into the steps Goa has already taken in terms of making the state more inclusive. Shri Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Disability Commission of Goa, highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs like Svayam to achieve lasting change.

The Role of Svayam and CII in Driving Change

At the heart of these discussions was Svayam, a trailblazer in the field of accessibility. Under the leadership of Ms. Sminu Jindal, Svayam has been instrumental in pushing for more accessible environments across India, from transportation systems to public spaces and tourist destinations. As the Chair of CII’s India Business Disability Network, Ms. Jindal is championing the cause of disability inclusion within India’s business community, pushing for more corporate responsibility in creating accessible spaces.

CII, through its India Business Disability Network, has been working tirelessly to engage businesses and industries in creating inclusive workplaces, products, and services. The collaboration with Svayam and the Purple Fest is another step in ensuring that disability inclusion is not just a policy but a practice embedded in India’s development journey.

The Future of Inclusive Tourism and Sports in India

The discussions at the Purple Fest 2025 roundtable are a crucial step in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in inclusive tourism and sports. The road ahead requires continued efforts from all stakeholders, including government bodies, industry leaders, and advocacy groups like Svayam, to ensure that accessibility becomes an integral part of India’s growth story. As Purple Fest continues to unfold, the dialogues and initiatives started today will help shape a future where every individual, regardless of ability, can enjoy the full benefits of tourism and sports.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Svayam, CII, and the Purple Fest 2025 is a powerful demonstration of how inclusivity can be integrated into some of India’s most influential sectors. With such great initiatives, India is taking significant strides towards ensuring that tourism and sports are not just for the able-bodied, but for everyone, paving the way for a more inclusive society where accessibility is the norm, not the exception.