Meet Abubakar Siddiq. From January to December 2023, he scored a spot working in the construction sector—a sector that is sometimes considered atypical for anyone who isn’t a cis-het man. Godrej Properties Limited (GPL)’s Pride Internship Program sets out to change that.

Launched two years ago, this program has successfully converted 12 Pride interns into full-time employees or contract staff till date, with 20 interns still part of the program as of now.

Tailor-made for emerging professionals within the LGBTQIA+ community, this nine-month initiative is designed to provide young talents with invaluable knowledge, hands-on experience, and mentorship crucial for navigating a career path in the real estate industry.

"Going through the internship program has been amazing. GPL is a friendly and supportive company to be a part of. Leader's mentorship and the on-the-job training taught me useful skills. Now, I am more confident about the impact I can create," Abubakar said.

GPL is striving to nurture an inclusive workplace culture. Their Pride internship is one of several policies that enhances that mission. Others include gender-neutral and anti-harassment policy, benefits for same-sex partners, gender transition support, and gender-neutral washrooms.

The Pride Internship Programme offers open opportunities across various functions, including Sales & Marketing, Legal & Design, HR & Admin, Operations, and Customer Centricity. To be eligible for this programme, candidates must identify as LGBTQIA+; have completed graduation; and be in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Nagpur, or Ahmedabad.

To be eligible for this program, candidates must identify as LGBTQIA+; have completed graduation; and be in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Nagpur, or Ahmedabad.

This is what Shubham Mahajan had to say about the Pride Internship Program: “Three months ago, I started my journey as product intern at GPL. What struck the me most wasn't just the impressive projects or the collaborative environment, but the deep commitment to inclusion. It's a concept often thrown around, but at Godrej, it's a lived experience. Here, true inclusion starts with acknowledging privilege. We all have privileges, sometimes hidden in plain sight. Recognising them dismantles barriers and creates space for genuine inclusion. It's about understanding that the world isn't designed for everyone to thrive equally and working to change that. This is what makes GPL stand out. They don't just celebrate diversity; they foster an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and heard. Since the time I have been here, I have realised, ‘When you work in an inclusive organisation, you understand it’s the world that is in the closet, not you.' "