Bhavesh Bhatia
About
Losing his eyesight at 23 was never a reason for Bhavesh Bhatia to give up. Instead, he decided to lighten up thousands of lives. He is a 100% visually impaired entrepreneur and owner of Sunrise Candles. This candle making company is based in Mahabaleshwar and is run majorly by visually impaired people.
Initially, he worked as a telephone operator and massage therapist but eventually saved money and started making candles. He then used to sell them in rented handcarts on the streets.
Today, at 72 manufacturing units, Sunrise Candles has been able to provide skill development training, employment and self employment opportunities to hundreds of people with disabilities.
He has also built a wax museum in Moleshwar Village, Mahabaleshwar where there are more than 20 plus statues of wax which are designed by his students.
The client list of Sunrise candles includes Reliance industries, Big Bazaar, Resilient Cosmeceuticals, Rotary Club and many other hotel groups.
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
Bhavesh was awarded the ‘Vocational Excellence Award’ from Rotary International in 2012 and the ‘Entrepreneurship with Social Relevance Award’ from Entrepreneurs International, by Gera Development Pvt. Ltd in 2014.
In 1998, he received an award from Reliance Industries as ‘Best Blind Entrepreneur’.
He has received three National Awards from the President of India and over 100 paralympic sports medals.
Why Bhavesh Bhatia ?
From being a street hawker to building a company and helping people to be self dependent, the story of Bhavesh Bhatia is inspiring and motivating. He believes that hardwork and dedication can change the life of a person and his life story is the elite example of this.
