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

Chennai, 30th June, 2025 — As part of its ongoing commitment to building workplaces that are truly inclusive and equitable, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, hosted a powerful Pride March at its recently inaugurated first Greenfield manufacturing facility in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most progressive allies for the LGBTQI+ community, leading with inclusive policies, healthcare access, and legal reforms. It was one of the first state to establish a Transgender Welfare Board and offers free gender affirmation surgeries in government hospitals. With skilling programs, job reservations, and visible civic participation, Tamil Nadu empowers queer voices. Pride events in Chennai and active grassroots organizations further reinforce the state’s commitment to dignity, equality, and inclusion.

Building on this spirit, a first-of-its-kind Pride March was organised inside a factory to demonstrate solidarity and allyship by GCPL. Over 100 employees from the GCPL plant participated in the march, reaffirming the company’s inclusive culture. The march was led by Jagadeesh M, Head – Manufacturing Operations; Sandhya Ramesh, General Manager – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Cluster Heads Sugumar M and Mugdha Niphadkar of GCPL. Transgender rights activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam, joined the procession as special guest and addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of corporate and community support in advancing LGBTQI+ rights.

Speaking about the initiative, Sandhya Ramesh, General Manager – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “Inclusion and diversity are not just social imperatives—they are business imperatives. At GCPL, we believe that building equitable and inclusive manufacturing spaces is essential to long-term growth, innovation, and resilience. When every individual feels valued and empowered, it reflects in the culture, the output, and the future we create together. This Pride March at first greenfield plant in Tamil Nadu is part of a much larger vision—of integrating inclusion into the very foundation of how and where we work.”

The event began with a street play by Transformism, a group known for raising awareness on LGBTQIA+ rights through performance art. Employees proudly carried flags, placards, and wore badges that celebrated diversity and belonging, while music and cultural elements added vibrancy to the parade. Safety marshals were deployed to ensure the smooth flow of the event within the factory premises.

The Chengalpattu plant — GCPL’s first integrated Greenfield facility in India — became operational in March 2025. It has been consciously designed with inclusion at its core: 50% of its workforce are women, and 5% comprise individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community and persons with disabilities. This makes it a benchmark in inclusive hiring and equitable workplace design.

“It’s time for more companies to move beyond tokenism and take meaningful action towards inclusion—especially on the factory floor, where the real fabric of our workforce is woven. What Godrej Consumer Products has done here is powerful. It sends a message that everyone, regardless of their gender identity or background, deserves dignity and opportunity. By embedding inclusivity into their systems and culture, companies like Godrej Consumer Products are setting the stage for a positive and lasting shift 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) extends beyond symbolic gestures. The company offers comprehensive 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 regular sensitization workshops further reinforce their inclusive culture. The Pride March at Chengalpattu marks another milestone in GCPL’s journey toward creating truly inclusive spaces—on the shop floor, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.