In Conversation With Vibhas Sen - A Man Beyond Limits And An Inspiration For Many
Vibhas Sen is a person with an exceptional personality who has inspired a lot of people with his success story.
Being diagnosed with a physical disability can be a challenging experience, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and development. This was the case for Vibhas Sen, who found that the physical disability has helped him to become successful in life. Vibhas Sen is a person with an exceptional personality who has inspired a lot of people with his success story. He is an Independent Board Director, Marketer, Sports Diplomat, TEDx Speaker, Paralympian & Emerging Leader of the U.S Dept of State.
His unique sense of style and thinking helped him to discover the unique perspective and empathy that was valuable in his dealings with customers and employees. He found that his personal experiences allowed him to better understand and connect with others, leading to stronger relationships and better business outcomes.
Let us ask some questions to understand his expertise and learn from his experience.
Kindly tell us about how and when you diagnosed with a physical disability and what was your feeling.
Ans. I was diagnosed at the age of 3 months my parents were devasted to know about it – Being raised differently, I have no memory of any other feeling rather than asking myself why I couldn’t walk while my friends were able to run and play.
What were the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Ans. My challenges were mainly accessibility and inclusion - I was able to circumvent accessibility by choosing schools, colleges and offices with lifts and disable friendly restrooms. I started playing and participating in sports that were easier (swimming and wheelchair fencing)
Generally, what are the changes faced by a physically disabled person in life and especially in getting employment?
Ans. Diversity in the workplace has been a hot topic for years, but it’s not always easy to achieve. Even when organizations strive to create a diverse workforce, there can be barriers that prevent certain groups of people from being hired, such as people with disabilities. In India, hiring people with disabilities has been a challenge, despite the country having one of the world's largest disabled populations.
According to the Census of India 2011, there are over 26 million people with disabilities in the country. However, the actual number is likely much higher, as many people with disabilities are not included in official counts. Despite this significant population, hiring people with disabilities remains a challenge. In fact, only about 1% of the country's workforce comprises people with disabilities, which is well below the global average of 10%.
One of the reasons why hiring people with disabilities has been a challenge is due to a lack of awareness and understanding among employers. Many employers assume that people with disabilities cannot perform certain job duties, or that accommodating their needs would be too difficult or expensive. However, these assumptions are often unfounded. In reality, people with disabilities can be highly skilled and competent, and accommodations can often be made without significant cost or disruption.
What are the benefits of hiring people with disabilities?
Ans. There are many benefits to hiring people with disabilities. For one, it can bring a range of perspectives and experiences to the workplace, which can help to foster creativity and innovation. People with disabilities are often highly adaptable and have unique problem-solving skills, which can be an asset in many industries. Additionally, studies have shown that companies with more diverse workforces tend to be more successful and profitable.
There are several steps that HR departments can take to promote the hiring of people with disabilities. First and foremost, education and awareness-raising are essential. HR personnel should be trained on the abilities and needs of people with disabilities and be made aware of the legal requirements around disability inclusion. Additionally, HR departments can partner with disability organizations and job placement services to identify potential candidates and provide support for accommodations.
Kindly tell us about your education qualification and your motto in life.
Ans. I did graduation in Information Technology and a Master's in Computer Applications from the University of Mumbai. Later I did a Management Development Programme at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, in Strategic Brand Management.
“Empowering someone who lives with a disability to embrace their sense of identity is one of the finest ways we can help bring about good change.” Is my motto in life.
Where are you based, and What do you do for a living?
Ans. I am a Global Citizen (born in Mumbai). I work as an independent board director and marketing consultant for various organisations.
Kindly tell us about Aumeesh Tech and your role in the company.
Ans. Aumeesh Tech is a Mumbai-based Company; Aneesh Karma is the CEO. The company is a leading manufacturer of healthcare technology specializing in assistive devices and rehabilitation solutions, Aumeesh's products are designed to be innovative, affordable, and accessible to those in need, and I am excited to be a part of their mission to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges.
Aumeesh has received several accolades for its work, including a grant from BIRAC and fundraising from Infosys, which has enabled the company to expand its product offerings and reach more customers. The company's products include prosthetics, orthotics, mobility aids, and sensory aids, as well as software solutions that enable remote monitoring and data analytics.
My new role is as an advisor to Drive Innovation, Strategy and Growth for Aumeesh Tech; need to work closely with the company's leadership team to provide guidance on strategic planning, business development, and innovation in the field of healthcare technology. I will also use my extensive network of industry contacts to help Aumeesh expand its reach and grow its customer base.
Kindly share some incidents in which your skill set has helped someone to get out of a difficult situation.
Ans. One example was when I presented a brand strategy to a housing developer in Mumbai, whose brand had taken a slump after some communication & PR disasters due to stalled projects. Instead of going in some conventional way of advertising and branding, I found a way to use empathy to create a campaign to emphasise brand love. i felt that empathy establishes meaningful relationships. Also, genuine empathy has a profound effect on the person we are showing it to. Consider a period when the other person had no doubts about your understanding, and you felt understood.
This incredible idea and resourcefulness, and adaptability not only helped the housing developer to get 5x growth but also helped me to succeed in a highly competitive business environment.
What are your achievements?
Ans. I was recently awarded the Indira Diversity Award 2023, which was given to honour the efforts of people who never give up or lose courage and continue to grow in life, irrespective of all the hindrances that they face. I was also recently qualified as the Independent Directors Data Bank from the Indian Institute of Corporate affairs.
What are your plans for the next year?
Ans. My next year's plan is to give back to my community (more employment, more accessible facilities, affordable medical devices and more inclusion in decision-making policy of governmental policy)
Anything which you would like to share with the readers?
Ans. In order to promote the full and meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities in society, decision-making processes must be inclusive and considerate of their unique needs and perspectives. This includes ensuring that individuals with disabilities have a seat at the table and their voices are heard and valued. Inclusive decision-making processes not only lead to greater social inclusion of persons with disabilities but also benefit society as a whole by fostering diversity, equity, and innovation. Therefore, it is crucial for decision-makers to prioritize disability inclusion and actively work toward creating an accessible, equitable, and inclusive society.
Vibhas is indeed a remarkable personality who continues to motivate people to fulfil dreams irrespective of all the difficulties that they face in life. He has proven that, for people who have dreams larger than life, the sky is the limit!
