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The second day of the International Purple Fest Goa 2025 marked a turning point in India’s ongoing movement toward accessibility and inclusion. In a powerful display of innovation, empathy, and collaboration, three transformative initiatives were launched — each aimed at strengthening accessibility in listening, reading, and writing for persons with disabilities.
The launches, presided over by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, symbolized a renewed national commitment to inclusive education and skill development. The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries including Shri Taha Haaziq, Secretary to SCPD Goa; Mrs. Richa Shankar, DDG; Shri Praveen Kumar, CMD, ALIMCO; Shri Kumar Raju, Director, Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC); Shri Jasbir Singh, Dy. Secretary; Shri Anupam Shukla, Ms. Debala Bhattacharjee, S.K. Mahto (Retd.), and other senior officials from the Department.
Together, these leaders underscored a shared mission — to build a barrier-free learning ecosystem and empower persons with disabilities (PwDs) to participate fully in both national and global education and professional spaces.
1. IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities: A First-of-Its-Kind Inclusive Learning Resource
The first and perhaps most groundbreaking launch was the IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities, developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI) with support from the DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
Authored by Anjali Vyas, Co-Founder of BITI and a British Council–certified IELTS Trainer, the handbook is the first comprehensive and inclusive guide designed specifically for learners with disabilities. It redefines how persons with visual, hearing, locomotor, or other disabilities prepare for the IELTS exam — a key gateway to global education and career opportunities.
The handbook functions as both a self-study resource for learners and a teaching manual for trainers, addressing the lack of accessible IELTS materials in the mainstream market. It offers:
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Reasonable accommodation guidelines tailored to each disability category.
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Step-by-step instructions for all four IELTS modules — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
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Skill-building activities and practice exercises across difficulty levels.
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Adapted lesson plans and teaching strategies for educators.
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Time management and exam preparation guidance for candidates.
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Grammar and vocabulary support, accessible study resources, and ISL (Indian Sign Language) video links.
In short, the handbook bridges a critical gap in language proficiency training, ensuring that every learner — regardless of ability — can access quality preparation tools. It also advances BITI’s broader mission: to make invisible disabilities visible and to promote universal accessibility in education.
2. ISLRTC’s RPL Certification in ISL Interpretation: Recognizing Skills, Empowering Communities
The second major initiative came from the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi — the apex national institution dedicated to research, development, and training in Indian Sign Language (ISL).
Under the Skill Training Initiative of the DEPwD, ISLRTC conducted the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certification in ISL Interpretation (CISLI) / Skill Course for SODA (Siblings of Deaf Adults) and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) from August 11 to 29, 2025, at its New Delhi campus.
This pioneering course recognized the informal yet vital communication expertise that CODAs and SODAs naturally develop over time. A total of 17 candidates from across India successfully completed the offline course, demonstrating excellence in ISL interpretation. Each participant’s performance was graded, and the Certificate Distribution Ceremony for this first cohort is scheduled for December 3, 2025, in celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
This initiative not only validates lived experiences but also formalizes them into recognized professional qualifications, paving the way for broader employment and education opportunities for ISL users and interpreters.
3. Specialized Training in ASL and BSL: Opening Global Doors for Indian ISL Professionals
In an exciting step toward international collaboration, ISLRTC also announced a Specialized Basic Training Programme on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL).
This one-month (four-week) in-person programme, beginning December 3, 2025, at ISLRTC, New Delhi, will introduce Indian Sign Language professionals to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of ASL and BSL. The training will equip interpreters with cross-linguistic competence, enabling them to represent Indian Sign Language users in global forums and foster cultural exchange with international deaf communities.
The initiative reflects India’s growing leadership in global accessibility efforts. It empowers interpreters with the skills needed for international exposure while simultaneously giving foreign deaf visitors a meaningful connection to Indian culture and heritage.
A Unified Vision for Accessibility and Inclusion
Together, these three launches form a cohesive vision — to build inclusive pathways that enable persons with disabilities to learn, communicate, and thrive across educational and professional environments.
From adapted IELTS preparation to recognition of native sign language interpreters and global language exchange, each initiative moves India closer to its goal of universal inclusion in education and skills.
Cycle Pure Agarbathies Lights the World’s Longest Incense Stick at Purple Fest 2025
While the morning was dedicated to educational empowerment, the evening of the festival witnessed a spectacular sensory celebration — the lighting of the world’s longest incense stick by Cycle Pure Agarbathies, India’s leading home worship brand.
In a mesmerizing ceremony, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant lit a 125-foot agarbathi, marking a record-breaking tribute to India’s spiritual heritage, craftsmanship, and the inclusive spirit of Purple Fest.
The event was attended by an esteemed gathering that included Swami Brahmachari Kamleshwaranand ji, Subhash Phal Desai (Minister for Social Welfare, Drinking Water, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, River & Navigation, Government of Goa), Shri Sadanand Tanavade (MP, Rajya Sabha), Miss Varsha Naik (Director, DEPwD Goa), Mr. Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Umesh D (Production, N. Ranga Rao & Sons Pvt. Ltd.), Sunil Deodhar (Social Worker), Dr. Danish (Brand Partner, N. Ranga Rao & Sons Pvt. Ltd.), and Shri Taha Haaziq (Secretary, Goa State Commission for Disabilities).
According to Kiran Ranga, Director of N. Ranga Rao & Sons Pvt. Ltd., the mammoth agarbathi was handcrafted over 26 days by 20 skilled artisans using sustainable, proprietary techniques. As the flame ascended its towering height, the air filled with a sweet, purple-hued aroma — a symbolic tribute to resilience, unity, and inclusion.
A Fragrance That Heals, Inspires, and Includes
Speaking about the initiative, Arjun Ranga, Managing Director of Cycle Pure Agarbathies, said:
“At Cycle Pure, we believe fragrance is more than ritual — it’s remembrance, reverence, and renewal. This 125-foot Purple Agarbathi is our tribute to every individual who brings light to the world. Purple Fest is a movement, and we’re honoured to be part of its story.”
Crafted using purple cabbage and the shankapushpa flower, both known for their therapeutic and memory-enhancing properties, the incense embodied the spirit of wellness and inclusivity. The fragrance was calming and grounding, allowing everyone — including those with visual or auditory impairments — to experience the celebration through scent and emotion.
This symbolic gesture built upon Cycle Pure’s history of crafting monumental incense tributes, such as the 111-foot agarbathis lit in Mysuru, Goa, and Mumbai during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, and the 121-foot incense stick created for the Bharatkund Mahotsav in Ayodhya.
More than a visual marvel, the Purple Agarbathi represented a multi-sensory experience — the gentle crackle of flame, the rising smoke, and the enveloping aroma combined to create a universal connection that transcended physical barriers.
About Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity and Accessibility
The International Purple Fest Goa 2025, held from October 9 to 12, is India’s first large-scale inclusive festival celebrating the diversity, creativity, and achievements of persons with disabilities. Organized by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Entertainment Society of Goa, DEPwD (Government of India), and United Nations India, the event serves as a global platform for dialogue, innovation, and change.
The Fest aims to cultivate inclusive thinking as the foundation for universal design, accessibility, and participation. From policy dialogues and art showcases to live demonstrations and cultural events, the festival is an embodiment of how society can — and should — work together to create a welcoming world for everyone.
A Festival of Transformation and Togetherness
Whether through the launch of educational and skill initiatives or the lighting of the world’s tallest incense stick, the International Purple Fest 2025 captured the essence of inclusion — a celebration not just of ability, but of shared humanity.
From classrooms to cultural stages, from language to fragrance, the message echoed clear: Inclusion is not an act of charity — it is an act of justice, creativity, and love.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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