Our Founder and Executive Director Nidhi Goyal was invited to speak on the panel ‘Diversity of the Mind and Body – Workplace Stories & Business Benefits.’ This panel was a part of the DEI Conference 2025 held by Vividhataa on 16th May 2025. The panel was online, and she was joined by fellow panelists Dr. Sangita Thakur, founder of Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions, Puneet Singh Singhal, co-founder of Billion Strong, and Pranav Bakshi, India’s first autistic fashion model. The panel was moderated by founder and chairperson of Chronic Pain India, Anubha Mahajan. It had over 100 attendees, both professionals from the private and public sectors.
Nidhi shared powerful insights on why investing in leadership of persons with disabilities, especially young women, and empowering them is critical. Drawing from her personal journey and Rising Flame’s leadership programmes, she highlighted how mentorship, visibility, and belief in potential can transform lives. Nidhi emphasised that while non-disabled youth are seen as the future, the same cannot be said about disabled youth — they are often viewed as a burden, and this mindset must change. Inclusion in work and leadership isn’t just a social responsibility, it enables us to ensure that the future is of dignity, equality and growth.