Bhavna Botta is a young woman based out of Chennai, who works for inclusion, peace and non-violence. Her entrepreneurial skills, drive to bring tribal rights to fore, and goal of facilitating disability inclusion make her a force to reckon with.
The earliest memory of
my childhood is vague remembrance of me screaming for therapy
sessions, but I fondly remember all the fun I had with my
teacher Mrs. Sowmya and my friends at Vidya Sagar. Since I am
person with cerebral palsy (speech impairment and limited motor
ability), I use an eye pointing communication system. I am the first born in my
family, so I was the most pampered of the lot, I guess. I have a younger sister
who is my best friend and solid supporter for all my initiatives. (She has
finished her masters in engineering and working in the USA.) I finished my high
school from Vidya Sagar and went on to do higher secondary from Lady Andal
Matriculation School, Chennai and then bachelors in commerce (corporate
secretary ship) from Ethiraj College for women. Again this was the best time
I had, literally being outstanding student (very little studies and more movies!)
In 2011, as soon as I finished my graduation I wanted to
start off an initiative which had a social cause inbuilt. I went on an
exploration spree, since I wanted it to be an economic model too.
I came across the story of Sri Kusum Rajiaha who
had done a lot of research on Ahimsa silk. It caught my interest .Then as
I was contemplating on it I came across Jharcraft which was working with
tribal’s and also on ahimsa silk. My interest got growing and I contacted
them.
I was impressed and was totally taken by the
idea. Then the concept Saahaagika, an exclusive boutique for ahimsa silk in
Chennai started brewing in my head. I went around looking for a place, bank loan
and all the permission etc. I failed in locating an accessible
place (me being a wheel chair user that becomes the priority).So ultimately I
started it at our own premises at Srinagar colony.
My dream was to build a business which could get lively hood for
some people with disabilities. So I compromised and chose to work from my own
premises. Though it had a separate place for work, it was just enough for me
and my sales person. So my dreams were unfulfilled. Loneliness cropped in and
with the floods last year I thought enough is enough and I formally shut down
the premises.
Yes still I am exploring online marketing but I am not sure
of it. But there is a steady stream of calls still from old customers and
new .I have no answers as of now.
All along my heart was ( will always be) in activism particularly in
disability sector. I am a proud member of Disability Rights Alliance and
contribute to rights based initiatives. I wanted to do something more and
started Connect Special .I am still struggling with this new venture but
hopefully what I could not achieve with my boutique of employing PWDS ,Connect
Special might in future. Maybe that's what keeps me inspired and
going.
I strongly feel inclusion is a human right. Inclusion
is still at a rudimentary level and in pockets because there is no one
institution which works only for it. Inclusion at all levels -schools, colleges,
jobs, community has to be strategically planned and done in partnership with
the community. My experience is people are wary of inclusion due to lack of
awareness.
