If there is one thing that nobody can ever steal from a human is knowledge and skill. While it may seem cliched, a young entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla has set an example and proved this to be true. He is the first international blind student who has studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
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His story is all about resilience and determination which helped him overcome challenges due to his impaired vision. Now, on May 10, the Rajkummar Rao-starrer biopic titled- Srikanth – Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholne is all set to release.
Srikanth Bolla has faced many challenges due to his impaired vision. He became the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Hyderabad-based Bollant Industries Private Limited. His extraordinary achievement in his career earned him several prestigious awards and recognition, among which, his name was listed in the “30 under 30” Forbes Asia’s list. Today, his life and accomplishments are an inspiration for the youth.
Born in Seetharampuram, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Bolla was born visually impaired to a family who were dependent on farming. After class 10, he wanted to opt for the Science stream but was not permitted, so he filed a case at the court and after six months, he won the legal battle and was allowed to pursue science.
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He topped the 12th board exam after scoring 98 per cent. Despite his outstanding results, he was denied admission to coaching institutes because of his impairment. His dream to crack the IIT-JEE and enrol at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to study Engineering remained unfulfilled. But, he attended one of the most prestigious education institutes in the US- MIT and was also given work opportunities in the country, but he was looking for innovative ideas in India.
In 2011, he co-founded the Samanvai Center for Children with Multiple Disabilities, where he started a Braille printing press. The centre also offered educational, vocational, financial and rehabilitation services to students to help them lead economically independent lives. The following year, he started Bollant Industries which manufactures areca-based products and provides employment to several hundred people with disabilities which is funded by Ratan Tata.
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The company produces eco-friendly recycled Kraft paper that is made from municipal waste, packaged products, disposable products from natural leaf and recycled paper and waste plastic to make into usable products. The company had a turnover of Rs 150 crore in 2018.
