As part of its commitment to diversity, equity and belonging, Volvo Group India hosted its first Run with Pride at Bagmane Tech Park, Bengaluru. The event brought employees together in support of LGBTQIA+ inclusion and allyship.
Organised in collaboration with the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Council and LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, V-EAGLE, the event saw more than 200 employees, allies and leaders collectively celebrating diversity, inclusion and belonging.
The Run featured 2.5 km and 5 km run/walk categories and served as a visible expression of solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to be their authentic selves.
The run was part of a month-long Pride Month programme that included leadership messages, employee storytelling, awareness sessions, movie screenings and cultural engagements.
Extending inclusion beyond corporate offices, Volvo Group India also organised LGBTQIA+ inclusion and allyship sessions at its Hoskote manufacturing facility and localised Pride engagements across locations.
This year’s highlight was “To the One I Once Was”, an employee storytelling campaign featuring personal letters written by V-EAGLE members to their younger selves, reflecting on identity, resilience and self-acceptance.
Kamal Bali, president & MD, Volvo Group India, feels, “creating an inclusive workplace requires everyday actions that make people feel valued, respected and supported”. According to him, “At Volvo Group India, inclusion is not viewed as a standalone initiative, but as a fundamental part of who we are and how we lead. This commitment guides us every day as we continue to build a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
The company’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, V-EAGLE, has grown to become one of the largest employee resource groups within Volvo Group globally, reflecting increasing engagement and allyship across the organisation. Through inclusive policies, awareness programmes employee-led initiatives, leadership advocacy and ongoing efforts to build psychological safety, Volvo Group in India is fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are valued, and every employee feels a sense of belonging.
