In September 1970, in Belgaum, Karnataka, a baby boy was born into joy and celebration. But at just six months old, typhoid fever damaged his optic nerves irreversibly, leaving him blind for life. For most families, this might have spelled despair. But Mahantesh’s parents made a quiet, firm decision: he would not be sheltered or excluded. At home, he grew up playing with cousins, joining family festivals, and being treated like any other child. Inclusion wasn’t a philosophy in his home; it was a way of life. That early foundation of belonging became the seed of his future work building opportunities for thousands who, like him, lived in a world not designed for them.

A Chance Encounter That Changed His Course

Outside his home, however, barriers loomed. Schools refused admission, citing lack of resources. For years, Mahantesh sat quietly at the back of classrooms, never enrolled, never called during attendance. Then, in 1981, a turning point arrived. A school inspector noticed him solving math problems with ease despite not being a student. Shocked, the inspector convinced his parents to enroll him at the Ramana Maharshi Academy for the Blind in Bengaluru. For the first time, Mahantesh found himself in an environment where blindness wasn’t a limitation. Accessible classrooms, teachers trained to help, and a culture of encouragement helped him race ahead, completing ten years of schooling in just six.

Discovering a World of Possibilities

In Bengaluru, Mahantesh thrived. He explored music, drama, and sports while excelling academically. A turning point came in 1986, when he traveled to the United Kingdom on an educational exchange program. There, he saw blind professionals working as lawyers, teachers, and IT specialists. That vision drove him through higher education. Despite challenges in mainstream colleges with no ramps or assistive tools, he completed a Master’s and MPhil in English from Bangalore University. Later, he even taught at the University of North Carolina.

Building Samarthanam: An Ecosystem of Opportunity

By 1997, Mahantesh recognized the glaring gap in India’s disability landscape, where accessible education and dignified jobs were still rare. Instead of waiting for the system to catch up, he co-founded the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, which began as a modest initiative and has since grown into one of India’s largest inclusion-focused organizations.

Over the years, Samarthanam has supported more than 22,000 students through inclusive and special schools, trained over 55,000 individuals with disabilities, and placed 35,000 people in jobs through its Livelihood Resource Centre that offers training, free accommodation, and placements. The trust also runs schools for children with intellectual disabilities.

“We don’t ask companies to hire people because they’re disabled,” Mahantesh emphasizes. “We ask them to hire them because they’re capable.” 

Strengthening its impact further, Samarthanam has built partnerships across 900 colleges and 100 universities, providing essential tools like screen readers, laptops, and smartphones to bridge the digital divide for the disabled community.

Redefining Sport: The Blind Cricket Revolution

Mahantesh’s first love was cricket, nurtured by listening to radio commentaries as a child. In 1990, he began playing blind cricket competitively and by 1994, was captaining his team. But his greatest impact came off the field. In 2010, when the governing body for blind cricket in India was collapsing, he stepped in to rebuild it. Under his leadership, India’s blind cricket team won three T20 World Cups, two ODI World Cups, and an Asia Cup. The sport grew to 30,000+ players across the country, including women. Players gained jobs, government recognition, and national awards—including the Arjuna Award. Through Samarthanam, Mahantesh has built ties with United Way, Give India, Give2Asia, and numerous CSR initiatives. His organization stands as a global model of community-driven inclusion.

A Life That Inspires

For many Indians, Mahantesh’s journey is more than a success story. His life resonates with anyone who has faced exclusion, showing that opportunity can transform despair into dignity. From a boy shut out of school in Belgaum to a global advocate for disability rights, Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar’s story is one of hope, courage, and vision. Inclusion isn’t charity. It is about recognizing talent, dignity, and humanity. Through Samarthanam and blind cricket, he has touched over 100,000 lives, giving people the same chance his parents once gave him: to belong, to grow, and to shine.