Parmesh Shahani’s Journey from Expression to Impact
In a vibrant and deeply personal episode of DiversiTea, Parmesh Shahani — Head of the Godrej DEI Lab and author of Queeristan — shared his story of turning adversity into advocacy, fear into flamboyance, and silence into systemic change. With characteristic candour and colour, Parmesh spoke of finding strength in self-expression and purpose in inclusion.
The Moment of Becoming
Parmesh’s identity journey began in a conservative India of the 1980s and 90s, a time before Google searches or safe spaces. Bullied as a child for wearing bright neon Madonna shorts, he chose not to conform. “That moment,” he recalled, “was when I decided I would not be squashed into submission.” Years later, that spark became the torch he carried into boardrooms, campuses, and factories alike.
Living in the Hyphen
Parmesh’s diverse career — spanning media, academia, and business — has been about creating bridges. From founding the Godrej India Culture Lab to shaping the Godrej DEI Lab, he has worked at the intersections of art and analytics, tradition and transformation. “I live in the hyphen,” he said, “and it’s in the hyphen that society progresses.”
Reframing DEI as a Business Lens
Parmesh emphasizes that DEI isn’t a one-time initiative. “DEI is not something you do. DEI is a lens with which you look at everything that the business does.” From hiring to communication, inclusion must be embedded in every function. At Godrej, even senior leaders’ goal sheets reflect this commitment, making DEI truly measurable and strategic.
Hope, Humor, and Hard Truths
Parmesh reminds us that change needs both storytelling and structure. Whether through Pride marches at HQ or expanding representation across lines of gender, disability, and identity, his work blends strategy with soul. “It’s a fine balance,” he said, “between patience and impatience.” His journey — rooted in resilience, expressed in neon — is a celebration of what happens when individuality is not just accepted, but amplified.Catch the full episode of Diversitea for more on inclusion and culture– one story at a time! Click Here
