International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Languages Celebrated at Caculo Mall

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The Caculo Mall, Panjim, came alive with the spirit of inclusivity and empowerment as it hosted the inaugural event marking the International Week of the Deaf and the International Day of Sign Languages. The three-day celebration, coordinated by entrepreneur and Purple Ambassador for the International Purple Fest Goa 2025, Mrs. Sadiya Bandodkar, featured a pop-up market showcasing stalls run by persons with disabilities.

The event was jointly organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Goa Association of the Deaf, and Mrs. Sadiya Bandodkar. The initiative also serves as a prelude to the International Purple Fest Goa 2025, scheduled from October 9th to 12th.

Day one of the celebration opened with an engaging Indian Sign Language awareness session, aimed at promoting communication accessibility. A highlight of the evening was a Navratri-themed dance performance by a group of deaf women, which captivated the audience and received resounding applause.

The inaugural function was graced by distinguished guests including Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Smt. Varsha Naik, Director, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Mrs. Sadiya Bandodkar, Purple Ambassador, International Purple Fest Goa 2025; Shri Mangesh Dalvi, Operations Head, Caculo Mall; Shri Prasad Joshi, General Secretary, Goa Association of the Deaf and Shri Avelino D’Sa, President, Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG).

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities emphasized the importance of such initiatives in building awareness and empowering persons with disabilities. He further highlighted that these efforts must extend beyond a week-long celebration and evolve into a continuous movement for inclusion.

Expressing her gratitude, Purple Ambassador Sadiya Bandodkar thanked the Purple Fest organizing departments, Caculo Mall, and all supporters for their encouragement and for creating meaningful opportunities for empowerment.
The three-day celebration will continue with the pop-up market, offering a vibrant platform for persons with disabilities to showcase their creativity, products, and entrepreneurial skills.

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