Last year, just around the festival of lights, i.e., Deepawali, an incident took place in the life of corporate trainer Akash Bhardwaj (31) which changed his life completely. Akash was shopping in the market when he got to see a nearly blind woman who had scars on her face. She had a little baby with her and was selling balloons. Her life was spoiled when her neighbour threw acid on her face, her husband deserted her and she also lost her job of a security guard.
She asked Akash, “Jis aurat ko muh dekh ke nikaal diya, usko kaun naukri dega? (Who will employ a woman sacked because of a disfigured face?)”
This was a life-changing moment for Akash as from here, his journey of entrepreneurship started. He started a travel firm by the name of “Khaas” and then a gift-courier firm by the name of “Khaas Uphaar”. The specialty of these firms is that they are run by visually impaired ladies. To start this business six months ago, Akash sold his motorcycle and his wife’s jewellery and today these firms employ five visually impaired ladies – Nirmal, Kamlesh, Dipti , Archana and Prema.
The entire official work including appointments, assisting in presentations and finalizing deals are done by these ladies. Not only this, they also accompany groups on trips if they are required to do so. Now they are also starting to make and courier gift products.
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is used for helping them in working on computers and now they have also started using smartphones. In the last month, 20-25 appointments were made plus two tours were finalized as well.
One employee, Archana (34) has done her masters in home science; she lost her vision at the age of 23 due to the medical negligence during a brain tumor operation. Another employee, Dipti is PG (Political Science) while Nirmal (33) is a widow and has a kid of eight years. Prema is presently in the third year of BA in DU’s School of Open Learning. All of them love to come to office and work there, as they get to meet new people and talk to them on various matters.
Akash is also looking to arrange funds to buy equipments for his staff. In his words,
“We have a very small office on the fourth floor of a building in Laxmi Nagar, east Delhi. Since it’s difficult for the visually impaired girls to go up and down the stairs, we are looking for a larger space on the ground floor.”
He further added, “None of my friends, neighbours or relatives supported me in setting up these ventures, except for my father and wife.”
His trust in his employees is the biggest motivating factor as he said smiling,
“Inke pas roshni nahin hain par yeh logon ko duniya ki sayar karayenge (They can’t see but they will help tourists see the world.”
What a great initiative!
We wish you more success and growth in this incredible venture!
Do you have any message for Akash or these ladies who can’t see but have the courage and will to show their might to the whole world? Share in the comments section below.