Employees and leaders came together at Bagmane Tech Park in a vibrant celebration of diversity, allyship and belonging
Volvo Group India hosted its inaugural “Run with Pride” at Bagmane Tech Park, Bengaluru, bringing employees together in support of LGBTQIA+ inclusion and allyship. The initiative formed part of the company’s broader commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and advancing diversity, equity, and belonging. Organized in collaboration with the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Council and LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, V-EAGLE, the event brought together more than 200 employees, allies and leaders in a collective celebration of diversity, inclusion and belonging. Featuring 2.5 km and 5 km run/walk categories, the event 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. As part of its efforts to extend inclusion beyond corporate offices, Volvo Group India also organized LGBTQIA+ inclusion and allyship sessions at its Hoskote manufacturing facility and localized Pride engagements across locations. A key highlight of this year’s celebrations 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.
Reflecting on Volvo Group India’s commitment to inclusion, Kamal Bali, President & Managing Director, Volvo Group India, said: ” Creating an inclusive workplace requires more than policies—it requires everyday actions that make people feel valued, respected and supported. ‘Run with Pride’ is a reflection of the culture we are striving to build, where allyship is encouraged, diverse perspectives are welcomed and individuals feel confident bringing their authentic selves to work. 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.
