Shark Tank India Exclusive! Why Disabled People Are Left Out? Alok Kejriwal Answers Amid 'Divyang Special' Ep

Shark Tank India Exclusive: Shark Tank India had a special episode named "Divyang Special." In this episode, Alok Kejriwal, CEO and founder of India Signing Hands Pvt Ltd., came as the panelist. "True inclusivity goes beyond representation; it's about breaking barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to opportunities," said Alok about the episode. We had an opportunity to reflect more on Shark Tank India's Divyang Special episode.

Shark Tank India Exclusive! Alok Kejriwal Says, 'I Think People With Disabilities...'

Alok Kejriwal, who is the winner of India 500 CEO Awards 2020, spoke about his experience in Shark Tank India. He introduced himself in an exclusive interview with Filmibeat as someone who "joined family business sometime in the early 90s at the age of 25-26, at a time when there was neither any technology nor any resources or interpreters to facilitate communication between a Deaf person and the rest of the world." Back then even his own parent struggled to communicate with him as there was less knowledge about sign language. He said, " I had to travel alone and figure out everything on my own. But I was fortunate to have the support of my parents, who taught me to see every challenge as a lesson, and that's what helped me build successful ventures from the ground up. Now, at India Signing Hands, we do everything we can to ensure other Deaf people don't face the same struggles."

When asked what concrete steps television can take to make their shows more accessible for disabled individuals. Reflecting on the same, Alok said, "I think people with disabilities in general have largely been left out of the 'start-up boom' that India is going through, and it is very unfortunate that one of the main reasons behind this exclusion is the lack of knowledge people have about entrepreneurship and the opportunities or freedom that it can provide."

Alok further claimed that Shark Tank India helped the viewers "not only by demystifying the complex world of entrepreneurship and investing for the common man, but also by inspiring people to begin their own start-up journeys." Talking about the special episode, Alok said, "Divyang Special takes this initiative one step further by making it accessible to millions of Deaf individuals, who will be able to fully engage with such content and understand it - perhaps for the first time in their lives."

Should television broadcast more such episodes that are accessible for disabled people? Undoubtedly yes! To this, Alok said, "Television networks also have an opportunity to bring a massive, untapped audience base into their fold simply by making their content accessible." However, Alok felt that digital platforms still lack a lot of things. He said, "Even on digital platforms, the lack of accessibility is very evident. Without access to knowledge, it is extremely difficult for anyone to even dare to start their entrepreneurship journey."

What should one do to make the world more accessible for a disabled person? Alok said to this, "we need more inclusive infrastructure, accessible technology, and support systems like mentorship, funding, and skill-building programs designed specifically for people with disabilities. Most importantly, society needs to shift its mindset - from seeing disability as a limitation to recognizing it as a different way of experiencing the world, full of potential."

He further asked investors to invest in "differently-abled entrepreneurs" saying, " I would tell investors that differently-abled entrepreneurs bring unique strengths, resilience, and innovative thinking to the table. They've already overcome many challenges in life, which makes them strong problem-solvers and determined leaders. Their lived experiences often inspire creative solutions that can benefit not just the disabled community, but society as a whole. By investing in these startups, you're not doing charity - you're supporting smart, passionate entrepreneurs with powerful ideas."

When asked what advice can he give to aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities who may be hesitant to step into the competitive business world, Alok said, "My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities is: don't let fear or doubt stop you. Yes, the business world is competitive, but your unique experiences give you a different and valuable perspective. Believe in your ideas, start small, and keep learning."