A visually-impaired tech-entrepreneur from Machilipatnam who graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) will make a foray into politics. Srikanth Bolla is expected to join the YSRCP soon.
Mr Bolla, born to a family of farm workers in Machilipatnam, defied the odds to score many firsts. He was the first visually-impaired student to study science at the intermediate level in India, and became the first visually-impaired international student to get admission in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He refused a lucrative job offer from General Electric (GE) in the US to return to India to work to improve the lives of people with disabilities. He now dreams of becoming the first visually-impaired President of India.
Besides, he is a national chess player and national blind cricket player.
His work and dedication found a fan in former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who believed that Mr Bolla could realise his dream.
“YSRC is the only party which understands the issues of the state and Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is the only leader with the capability, vision and determination to solve problems of the people and fulfil their aspirations,” Mr Bolla said,
Mr Bolla started Bollant industries, which produces eco-friendly disposable products and packaging solutions made out of leaves and recycled paper. Almost 70 per cent of the employees at Bollant Industries are differently-abled, and the company boasts of Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata as one of its investors.