New Delhi, July 14, 2022: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized its 1st Conclave on Diversity and Inclusion from July 6, 2022, to July 7, 2022, at the Lalit Hotel, New Delhi. The theme of the conclave is ‘India@75 – Being Diverse, Inclusive and Better for all’.
Dr. Jyotsna Suri, the Past President of FICCI, Mentor, FICCI Task Force on D&I, and Chairperson and CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, delivered the concluding remarks at the conference. She spoke about the challenges and uncertainties faced by people the disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ communities. “The challenges that they confront are immense.”
She repeated DM Suhas LY’s words, “not everyone is fit for every role. So you have to choose the role that is fitted for,” she said regarding inclusivity. “I think what you need to do is look for the right job.”
“We all need to come together and create an ecosystem that allows every individual to live and work with dignity and contribute to society and the economy,” she said.
She talked about the meaning of bringing diversity into the workspace and helping people with disabilities and LBTQIA+ individuals to earn their rights and dignity. “Respect everyone’s differences and celebrate diversity.”
Dr. Suri also had an interaction with the Ten News Network where she spoke more about the importance of diversity and inclusion in workspaces. “There are not enough steps being taken by India Inc. to promote diversity and inclusiveness. “We are more in the awareness phase. So, a conclave like this helps in bringing awareness.”
“I am really happy to note that more and more Indian companies are taking conscious steps to be as inclusive and as diverse in their workforce as possible,” she said proudly.
“It’s not about a force-fit,” Dr. Suri said regarding promoting diversity and inclusion in organizations. “You have to integrate them into your workforce,” she said. “We have to move out of the stereotype that what kind of a role can a person like this do. You will be surprised that there are so many avenues that are open.”
“It’s about the mindset,” she said. “First, the corporate needs to have a positive mindset. Once they have a positive mindset, they will find a lot of roles and jobs for people who are differently-abled.”
“The government is doing what they can,” Dr. Suri said about the role of government in promoting Diversity and Inclusion. “I don’t think this is just the role of the government, it’s about us. I think all of us need to have a wider mindset so that we can include the differently-abled and people with different sexuality into the workforce.”
“My aim is to reach out to corporates and change the mindset of corporates so that we can have a more inclusive workforce,” she said.
The conclave was also attended by dignitaries like Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Mr. Suhas LY, DM Gautam Buddha Nagar, Sanjiv Mehta, FICCI President, and Keshav Suri, Co-Chairman of FICCI Task Force and Founder of Keshav Suri Foundation.
