Empowering Diversity: FICCI DE&I Conclave 2024 in Mumbai

The two-day ‘2^nd edition of FICCI DE&I Conclave’ in partnership with Keshav Suri Foundation and The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group was successfully held at The LaLiT Mumbai. The event was designed to bring together leaders and professionals from diverse sectors to discuss and explore strategies for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and society. Day one of the Conclave was a Masterclass and day two was the Conclave. 

While addressing the conclave through a video message, Dr Anish Shah, President, FICCI said, “Globally, we have seen a shift in recognising diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) as essential for sustainable growth. Studies show that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, productive, and resilient.”

In her special address, Padma Bhushan Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence stated that this is a milestone conclave for involving a definite roadmap to be played out collectively to embed diversity, equity and inclusive processes at our workplaces and beyond.

In his welcome remarks, Keshav Suri, Chairperson of the FICCI DE&I Task Force and Executive Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, stated, "We started in 2019 and took a bold step by forming a DEI committee with three distinct subgroups – for gender diversity, LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Allies +) community & persons with disabilities. While we have made significant progress, there is still a long way to go to achieve a truly diverse and inclusive world, with equity being the most crucial element in this journey." He also emphasized the importance of empathy, noting that with empathy, DEI can become the vision of the world we aspire to share. “I firmly believe that corporations and India Inc. have the tools to empower marginalised communities at various intersections. At The Lalit, we have created a microcosm of the world we wish to see on a larger scale, shaping the future for the rest of the nation,” he added. 

Suri further encouraged extending these DEI conversations to our homes, our communities, and every possible discussion to build a genuinely inclusive world for all. FICCI also announced the launch of ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Awards’ during the Conclave. This pioneering initiative aims to recognise and celebrate organisations who have made significant contributions to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their workplaces.

The conclave also witnessed two captivating fireside chats, bringing together influential leaders and creative minds from various industries. The first fireside chat featured an enlightening conversation between Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & MD of Bharat Hotels Limited and Past President of FICCI, and Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and CEO of Salesforce India. 

Commenting on the Conclave, Dr Jyotsna Suri, who is also mentor to the FICCI DEI Committee stated, “The FICCI DEI Conclave has been a testament to our collective commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate India. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, we can drive meaningful change. The collaboration and innovative ideas generated here will be instrumental in driving meaningful change and building a more inclusive future for all.”

The second fireside chat gathered notable figures from the Indian film industry. Moderated by Rajeev Masand, renowned Indian Film Critic and Senior Journalist, the panel included Faraz Arif Ansari, Film Director; Sushant Divgikr aka Rani Ko He Nur, Indian Actor & Singer; Tushar Tyagi, Film Director; and Gazal Dhaliwal, Indian Screenwriter.

During the conclave, various topics including ‘Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)’, ‘Supplier Diversity and Procurement Practices’, ‘Importance of Data and Metrics’ and Understanding and Navigating a Multigenerational Workforce were also discussed.

The DEI Conclave concluded on a high note with a captivating performance by the Dancing Queens, India's first transgender dance group. Their vibrant and powerful presentation not only showcased their immense talent but also highlighted the essence of diversity, equity, and inclusion that the event sought to promote. The FICCI DEI Conclave 2024 in Mumbai was marked by vibrant discussions, actionable insights, and a shared commitment to advancing DEI initiatives across industries.