Meet Shankar

Shankar had polio as a child and is now unable to walk.

Shankar lives in Nagawara, Bangalore with his parents and younger brother,

who is also disabled as a result of polio.

Shankar has the skills to work in a garment factory.

He is paid l50% less than his colleagues’. He finds it difficult to operate machines,

which are situated in different places around the factory.

Shankar knows, that if the machines were better positioned,

his disability would not effect his productivity.

Without an enabling environment, Shankar and other disabled workers are perceived

to be less productive by employers, who take advantage of this, to pay less.

Shankar has a business idea to solve his problem.

Shankar wants to set up an easily accessible garment workshop.

All his employees will be disabled.

They will produce just as much and everyone will be paid well.

Shankar has already started designing a friendly workspace for him

and his employees which will help in increasing their productivity.

Shankar has lined up potential dealers and is very excited to start his unit.

Shankar’s family and friends are very proud of him.

They believe equal employment opportunity is worth risking to lose a low paid job.

Shankar heard about the Be! Fund from one of our NGO partners

and decided to apply to us to start his own enterprise

Shankar knows that if he succeeds his story will inspire

other disabled entrepreneurs to solve problems for everyone.