Anupama Ratta from Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd shared success stories of integrating employees with disabilities on manufacturing shop floors.
ET NOW Diversity & Inclusion Summit
On June 21, 2024, the ET NOW Diversity & Inclusion Summit at Taj Santacruz Mumbai hosted by ET Now Global DEI Alliance witnessed two groundbreaking panel discussions exploring the business potential of inclusive practices for LGBTQ+ individuals and persons with disabilities.
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The first panel, "People, Purpose, Pride: The Promise of the Pink Economy," brought together industry leaders to discuss LGBTQ+ inclusion. Moderated by Smruthi Suryaprakash from Boston Consulting Group, panellists included executives from Barclays India, Myntra, Pride Circle, Godrej Properties, and Gay Bombay. They emphasised the need to move beyond sensitization to create "warrior activists" who shape inclusive policies within organisations. Successful initiatives like recognizing same-sex partners for insurance benefits and supporting gender reassignment surgeries were highlighted.
The fashion industry's role in supporting LGBTQ+ expression was explored, with Myntra sharing insights on collaborations with queer designers and content creators. Mental health emerged as a crucial topic, with panellists calling for creating safe environments for open discussions.
The second panel, "People, Innovation, Inclusion, Integration: Making a Business Case for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities," was moderated by Roshni Rathi from Boston Consulting Group. Leaders from various sectors discussed the advantages and challenges of integrating persons with disabilities in the workplace.
Anupama Ratta from Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd shared success stories of integrating employees with disabilities on manufacturing shop floors. Shweta Mohanty from SAP India discussed their decade-long journey in autism inclusion, while Ravindra Rambhan Singh from myUDAAN emphasised the crucial role of NGOs in bridging employment gaps.
Both discussions underscored that inclusion is not just a moral imperative but also drives innovation, talent retention, and business success. Panellists agreed on the importance of leadership commitment, comprehensive training programs, and creating a sense of belonging for all employees.
The summit highlighted that embracing diversity – whether in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusion or disability integration – is essential for building innovative, empathetic, and successful organisations in the modern business landscape. As companies continue to navigate these inclusion journeys, the potential for both social and economic growth becomes increasingly evident.
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