FIIB Hosts ‘Beyond Labels: Towards Pride and Progress’ to Promote LGBTQIA++ Inclusion and Foster a Culture of Diversity
New Delhi : Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), recognised as one of the most inclusive B-Schools of India, hosted ‘Beyond Labels: Towards Pride and Progress’, in collaboration with Girl Up India and Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar. The program aimed to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the decriminalisation of Section 377 in India and explore approaches to promote inclusivity for all, particularly for LGBTQIA++ community.
The event began with a welcome address delivered by Ms. Sakshi Pandey and Ms. Bhavna Sharma, Senior Co-Heads of Girl Up Club, FIIB. While introducing the theme, ‘Beyond Labels: Towards Pride and Progress’, they emphasised the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity, moving beyond archaic societal norms. Ms. Sakshi Pandey also shared her experience of working with transgender community during her social internship, which enhanced her understanding of gender inclusivity and equality.
Emphasising FIIB’s dedication to drive positive societal impact, Dr. Kokil Jain, Dean of Research & Outreach at FIIB, said, “Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), our fundamental focus is to bring positive change and foster a truly inclusive environment. Through FIIB’s SDG Dashboard, we aim to track and showcase our contribution towards Goals #4 (Quality Education), #5 (Gender Equality), #8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and #9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). I am proud to say that we are the fourth B-school in India and 31st globally to maintain an individual SDG Dashboard updated annually”.
The program included an interactive workshop and a panel discussion, aimed to enhance attendees’ understanding of the LGBTQIA++ community’s experiences and the progress made in this direction. The panel discussion, moderated by Anushka Maheshwary, a queer and non-binary professional, provided insights into the challenges faced by the community, reiterating the need for further work to achieve equality and transgender rights within the within the LGBTQIA++ community.
Insights Shared by the Panelists
Shaman Gupta, co-founder of Mysfit Trans Youth Foundation, elaborated on the unique challenges faced by transgender youth and the importance of creating safe spaces to empower them.
Yash Sharma, founder of Official Humans of Queer, shed light on the power of storytelling in breaking stereotypes to foster empathy and promote LGBTQIA++ inclusion.
Rajasekharan Pazhaniappan, co-founder of V-Shesh, an organisation promoting inclusive employment, shared how businesses can lead the way in supporting LGBTQIA++ individuals through inclusive policies and practices.
Rudrani Chettri, a founder member of Mitr Trust, highlighted the critical role of community support in the lives of transgender individuals, advocating for greater visibility and rights for the community.
Concluding the program on a reflective note, Ms. Aditi Arora from Girl Up India and Ms. Priyanka Randhawan from Tagore International School, stressed that achieving equality for LGBTQIA++ community requires more than a policy change—it also involves positive change in societal attitudes. Reiterating FIIB’s commitment to creating an inclusive future, Ms. Sakshi Pandey and Ms. Bhavna Sharma thanked all the participants, keynote speakers, and organisers for making the event a success.