Born in 1970 in Belgaum and blinded by typhoid at six months, Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar was excluded from school—yet his family’s insistence on normal childhood inclusion nurtured his independence and resilience. By 1997, his drive had grown into action—he co-founded the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, aiming to bridge education and employment gaps for persons with disabilities. 

Two decades on, Samarthanam stands among India’s most impactful inclusion-focused NGOs. It supports over 22,000 students through inclusive and special schools, trains more than 55,000 individuals via its Livelihood Resource Centre, and has placed over 35,000 disabled individuals in jobs offering free training, accommodation, and placement support.

The trust also amplifies empowerment through sports: revitalizing blind cricket in India, leading teams to global victories, inspiring athletes to earn government jobs and national honors. Looking ahead, Mahantesh dreams bigger—envisioning a global inclusive university and an accessible sports city in Bengaluru to further broaden opportunity, independence, and dignity.