Summary
Srikanth Bolla's inspirational story demonstrates how determination and vision can overcome societal barriers. Born without eyes to farmer parents earning ₹20,000 annually, he faced initial rejection from society, with some suggesting he should be "smothered." However, his parents' unconditional love and support proved transformative.
Initially helping his father in the fields, Srikanth's physical limitations led his father to recognize that education would be his path forward. Despite facing discrimination in mainstream school—sitting on the last bench for two years, ignored by teachers and classmates—he persevered through loneliness and isolation.
His journey took a positive turn when he joined a special school in Hyderabad, where he excelled academically, achieved top ranks, and represented India in chess and cricket. He even worked with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on youth transformation projects.
When denied science stream after scoring 90%+ in 10th grade due to his visual impairment, Srikanth challenged the system legally. After a six-month legal battle, he won the right to study science "at his own risk" and achieved 98% in his exams with mentor support.
Rejected by IIT due to his blindness, he applied internationally and was accepted by MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon. He chose MIT, becoming their first international blind student.
Rather than pursuing corporate success in America, Srikanth returned to India with a mission to solve systemic problems faced by disabled individuals. He co-founded Bollant Industries with partner Ravi Mantha, creating a platform to find, rehabilitate, and reintegrate disabled individuals into society.
His company has supported over 3,000 students in education and vocational rehabilitation, employs over 150 disabled individuals, and generates over a million dollars in sales. His philosophy centers on three principles: showing compassion, removing loneliness, and understanding that doing good benefits oneself first.
Questions and Answers
While We Read Questions:
a. Why does Srikanth say that his parents were the richest couple in the world?
Srikanth calls his parents the richest couple in the world because despite their financial poverty (earning only ₹20,000 annually), they showered him with immense love and care when society saw him as a burden. Their unconditional acceptance and support made them rich in the truest sense—rich in love, compassion, and humanity. They saw him as their treasure rather than focusing on his disability, making them feel wealthy beyond material possessions.
b. Why did Srikanth's father believe that education would be his path?
Srikanth's father realized that his son didn't fit into the traditional farming model due to his physical limitations. When Srikanth's short legs made it difficult for him to help effectively in the fields, his father understood that conventional agricultural work wouldn't be suitable. Recognizing that his son needed a different path to success and independence, he decided that education would be the key to unlocking Srikanth's potential and ensuring his future.
c. How did Srikanth excel as a student at the special school in Hyderabad?
At the special school in Hyderabad, Srikanth transformed from an isolated student to an outstanding achiever. He:
- Became an exceptional academic performer, earning top ranks
- Represented India in chess, showcasing his strategic thinking abilities
- Represented India in cricket, demonstrating his sporting talents
- Had the privilege of working with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on various projects, including the Lead India Youth Transformation Project
- Found an environment where his abilities were recognized and nurtured rather than ignored
d. Srikanth says that he is not 'visually impaired' but 'visually challenged'. Why?
Srikanth prefers "visually challenged" over "visually impaired" because it reflects his positive mindset and approach to his condition. The word "impaired" suggests something broken or defective, carrying negative connotations that imply limitation and disability. "Challenged," however, suggests that while there are obstacles, they can be overcome with determination and effort. This linguistic choice reflects his belief that his blindness is not a permanent barrier but rather a challenge that can be conquered through perseverance and innovation.
e. How did Srikanth overcome the obstacles in pursuing his studies in science?
Srikanth overcame the obstacles through multiple strategies:
- Legal Action: He sued the government when denied admission to science stream, fighting a six-month legal battle
- Persistence: He obtained a government order allowing him to study science, albeit "at his own risk"
- Mentorship: He worked with a dedicated mentor who provided crucial support
- Adaptive Learning: His mentor recorded textbooks on audio to make the content accessible
- Hard Work: Despite lack of resources, he maintained intense focus and dedication
- Results: His efforts paid off when he scored 98% in his science exams, proving his capabilities
f. What do you understand about the attitude of society to disabled individuals when Bolla was a student in school? How did he help to change the situation?
Society's Attitude:
- Disabled individuals were seen as burdens rather than contributors
- They faced systematic exclusion from mainstream education and opportunities
- There was widespread discrimination, with disabled students being marginalized (like being made to sit on the last bench)
- Society had low expectations and limited faith in their capabilities
- Approximately 10% of India's disabled population was excluded from the economy
How Srikanth Changed the Situation:
- Bollant Industries: Co-founded a company that specifically employs disabled individuals (over 150 employees)
- Rehabilitation Platform: Created a system to find, rehabilitate, nurture, and reintegrate disabled individuals into society
- Educational Support: Supported over 3,000 students in education and vocational training
- Economic Integration: Proved that disabled individuals could contribute significantly to the economy (company grosses over $1 million)
- Mindset Change: Demonstrated through personal example that disabled individuals can achieve excellence
g. Why did Srikanth return to India instead of pursuing opportunities in the corporate sector in the USA?
Srikanth returned to India because he wanted to solve the systemic problems he had personally experienced. Rather than accepting a comfortable corporate life in America, he was driven by deeper questions:
- "Why should blind children be made to sit on the last bench?"
- "Why should 10% of India's population, who are disabled, be excluded from the economy?"
He chose purpose over profit, mission over money. His goal was to build a strong support system for disabled individuals in India, ensuring they would be integrated into society rather than separated from it. He wanted to create the opportunities and support system that he wished had existed during his own struggles.
h. What do you think the word 'reintegrate' means in this context?
In this context, "reintegrate" means to bring disabled individuals back into mainstream society as active, contributing members. It involves:
- Social Integration: Helping them become accepted parts of their communities
- Economic Integration: Providing employment and business opportunities
- Educational Integration: Ensuring access to quality education and skill development
- Psychological Integration: Building confidence and self-worth
- Systematic Integration: Changing societal structures to accommodate and value disabled individuals
The word suggests that disabled individuals were previously separated or excluded from society, and the goal is to restore their rightful place as valuable contributors to social and economic life.
Let's Recall and Recreate Questions:
1. What were the challenges Srikanth faced in his education, and how did he overcome them?
Challenges:
- Social Rejection: Born without eyes, society initially saw him as a burden
- Educational Discrimination: Made to sit on the last bench for two years, ignored by teachers and classmates
- Loneliness and Isolation: Felt like the poorest child due to social exclusion
- Systemic Barriers: Denied admission to science stream despite 90%+ marks
- Resource Limitations: Lack of accessible learning materials and support systems
- Institutional Discrimination: Rejected by IIT due to blindness
How He Overcame Them:
- Family Support: Parents' unconditional love provided foundation
- Educational Transition: Moved to special school in Hyderabad where he could excel
- Legal Action: Sued government to secure right to study science
- Mentorship: Found dedicated mentor who provided audio textbooks and guidance
- International Opportunities: Applied to US universities when Indian institutions rejected him
- Personal Excellence: Consistently achieved top academic performance (98% in science, accepted by MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon)
- Mindset Shift: Viewed himself as "challenged" rather than "impaired"
2. What motivated Srikanth to return to India? What did he do on his return?
Motivation:
- Desire to solve systemic problems faced by disabled individuals in India
- Questions about why disabled children face discrimination in education
- Concern about 10% of India's disabled population being excluded from the economy
- Vision to create the support system he wished had existed during his struggles
- Commitment to social change over personal financial gain
Actions on Return:
- Co-founded Bollant Industries: Created eco-friendly packaging company with partner Ravi Mantha
- Employment Generation: Hired over 150 disabled individuals
- Educational Support: Supported over 3,000 students in education and vocational rehabilitation
- Sports and Recreation: Provided opportunities in sports and other activities
- Founded Surge Impact Foundation (2016): Organization focused on achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
- Business Success: Built company generating over $1 million in sales
- Systemic Change: Created platform for finding, rehabilitating, nurturing, and reintegrating disabled individuals
About the Author
Srikanth Bolla (Born 1991, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh)
- Parents: Uneducated farmers
- Youth leader since 2005
- Member of Lead India campaign 2020 (Dr. Kalam's National Youth Movement)
- Co-founder of Bollant Industries (2012) - produces eco-friendly recycled paper and packaging
- Director of Surge Impact Foundation (2016)
- Featured in Forbes '30 under 30' across Asia (2017)
- Subject of biopic "Srikanth" (2024)
Key Themes and Life Lessons
- Compassion and Service: "Show compassion and help others thrive. True wealth doesn't come from money but from the happiness of others."
- Fighting Loneliness: "Remove loneliness from people's lives, as it is the worst form of poverty."
- Karma of Goodness: "When you do something good, you will be the first to benefit."
- Mindset Power: "The world may look at me and say, 'Srikanth, you can do nothing.' But I look at the world and say, 'I can do anything.'"
- Vision Over Circumstances: Success requires vision and perseverance rather than luck; problems should be seen as opportunities and failures as practice.
Create a list of Interview Questions to ask with Srikanth Bolla
Personal Life
- How did your parents' support shape your worldview and determination?
- What role did your early experiences in the fields with your father play in your development?
- How do you maintain positivity when facing societal discrimination?
Professional Life
- What inspired you to choose entrepreneurship over a corporate career?
- How do you balance profit with social impact at Bollant Industries?
- What are your future expansion plans for the company?
Challenges
- What was the most difficult moment in your educational journey?
- How do you handle setbacks and failures in your business ventures?
- What advice would you give to other disabled individuals facing similar challenges?
Mentors and Guides
- Can you tell us more about the mentor who recorded your textbooks?
- How did working with Dr. Kalam influence your vision for India?
- Who are the other key people who supported you along the way?
Achievements and Awards
- How did it feel to be the first international blind student at MIT?
- What does being featured in Forbes '30 under 30' mean to you?
- Which of your achievements are you most proud of and why?
Experience with Dr. Kalam
- What specific projects did you work on with Dr. Kalam?
- What lessons did you learn from him about leadership and vision?
- How did his Lead India campaign influence your approach to social change?
Being an Employer
- What unique challenges do you face as an employer of disabled individuals?
- How do you ensure your workplace is truly inclusive and supportive?
- What changes would you like to see in corporate India's approach to disability employment?
Message to Society
- What would you tell parents of disabled children?
- How can educational institutions become more inclusive?
- What role should government play in supporting disabled individuals?
Social Responsibility
- How do you measure the social impact of your work?
- What are your goals for the Surge Impact Foundation?
- How can businesses contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals?