GCPL Marches Forward with Pride, Factory Floor Becomes a Platform for Inclusion

Chennai, 30th June, 2025. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, hosted a significant Pride March at its newly opened Greenfield manufacturing facility in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. This event reflects the company's commitment to creating workplaces that are inclusive and fair.

 

Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most progressive supporters of the LGBTQI+ community. The state has introduced inclusive policies, improved access to healthcare, and implemented legal reforms. It was among the first to set up a Transgender Welfare Board and offers free gender-affirming surgeries in government hospitals. Tamil Nadu also supports queer voices through job reservations, skilling programs, and civic involvement. Pride events in Chennai, along with active grassroots organizations, further emphasize the state’s dedication to dignity, equality, and inclusion.

 

In this spirit, GCPL organized a unique Pride March inside the factory to show solidarity and support. Over 100 employees from the GCPL plant participated in the march, demonstrating the company’s inclusive culture. The event was led by Jagadeesh M, Head of Manufacturing Operations; Sandhya Ramesh, General Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Cluster Heads Sugumar M and Mugdha Niphadkar. Transgender rights activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam joined as a special guest, addressing the gathering about the importance of corporate and community support in promoting LGBTQI+ rights.

 

 

Sandhya Ramesh spoke about the initiative, stating, “Inclusion and diversity are not just social imperatives; they are business imperatives. At GCPL, we believe that creating equitable and inclusive manufacturing spaces is key to long-term growth, innovation, and resilience. When each person feels valued and empowered, it shows in our culture, our output, and the future we build together. This Pride March at our first Greenfield plant in Tamil Nadu is part of a larger vision of embedding inclusion into the very foundation of how we work.”

 

The event kicked off with a street play by Transformism, a group dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights through performance art. Employees proudly carried flags and placards and wore badges celebrating diversity and belonging, while music and cultural elements added energy to the parade. Safety marshals were present to ensure a smooth flow of the event within the factory.

 

The Chengalpattu plant, GCPL’s first integrated Greenfield facility in India, started operations in March 2025. It was intentionally designed with inclusion as a priority: 50% of its workforce are women, and 5% include individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community and persons with disabilities. This sets a standard in inclusive hiring and fair workplace design.

 

“It’s time for more companies to go beyond token gestures and take real steps toward inclusion, especially on the factory floor, where the true fabric of our workforce is created. What Godrej Consumer Products has done here is powerful. It sends a message that everyone, regardless of gender identity or background, deserves dignity and opportunity. By integrating inclusivity into their systems and culture, companies like Godrej Consumer Products are paving the way for a positive and lasting change in how India works,” added Kalki Subramaniam, Transgender Rights Activist and Artist, who actively participated in the Pride March.

 

GCPL’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goes beyond symbolic actions. The company provides health insurance that covers gender-affirming surgeries, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and benefits for same-sex and domestic partners. Gender-neutral restrooms, inclusive communication, and ongoing sensitivity workshops further strengthen their inclusive culture. The Pride March in Chengalpattu marks another step in GCPL’s journey to create truly inclusive spaces—on the shop floor, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.