| | AUGUST 202419He has also penned a book on accessible travel to benefit those from Government agencies, travel agencies, and college students.Sai Kaustuv Dashgupta, Founder, Happiness Unlimited - Spreading Smiles EverywhereSai Kaustuv Dashgupta is a Motivational Speaker - Rotary International, Graphic and Visual Design Senior Analyst - Accenture, Global Advisor - Billion Strong and a Community Changemaker - Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities. Fondly called the "Wheelchair Warrior of India," Sai is a superhero to many youths, showing that nothing can stand against positivity. This Bangalore-based warrior was struck with an uncommon brittle bone, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, that caused over 50 fractures, 90 percent locomotor disability, and an 80 percent hearing impairment. Yet, he stands unshaken and is regarded as the first certified Happiness Coach from India who is also a creative designer and an outspoken supporter of diversity and inclusion. Sai committed himself to inspiring people by giving inspirational speeches and supporting Harvard Medical School's Mental Health Program. He is known for having a contagious smile among his other abilities, such as singing, composing, and entrepreneurship, and he holds over 16 Guinness World Records from Limca, India. He spreads his motivation through his venture, `Happiness Unlimited,' which strongly stands for acceptance, optimism, and fortitude in the face of adversity.Sai is also recognized for his outstanding efforts in the areas of accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity. The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu honored him with the esteemed National Award for Individual Excellence in the "Shrestha Divyangjan" category. His exceptional leadership qualities have earned him a position as the fourth global icon whose inspirational talks strike an emotional connection with many people globally, especially those including corporate professionals, PWD employees, global leaders, and representatives of prestigious institutions across the US, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Nepal.He believes that an ideal world is one that makes India a wheelchair-accessible nation. He is working towards making that dream a reality by launching initiatives for special needs children's schooling, accessible public areas, and special parent counseling. To name one, he was identified as a Global Equality Champion for representing India on the D-30 Disability Impact List and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in SDG 2030 at the UN. He is even making use of digital tools by reaching out to people virtually through his online community, `Happiness Unlimited.'Gunavathy Chandrasekaran, Founder - Guna's Quilling: Reality Maker of Many People's Creative DreamsHailing from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, Gunavathy Chandrasekaran found her calling to quilling and worked at it with zeal. Gunavathy was deemed incapable after surviving a polio episode at the age of two, and at sixteen, she was married off.But a few bits of paper pulled her back up showing how creative she can be through her artwork. Under her brand, Guna's Quilling, she makes other women interested in business to sell quilled wall art, greeting cards, jewelry, tiny figurines, and much more under the brand name Guna's Quilling.Pranav Desai, Executive Sponsor, Access ERG - NTT DATA - A Tech Star Changing Lives of the Differently abled Pranav Desai is the founder of Voice of SAP, a Global Advocacy Organization with a Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC. From a very early age, he was left physically impaired due to polio. Despite it all, he grew successful by becoming an Engineer, MBA graduate and a global IT business executive with a career path spanning nearly 30 years across major multinational corporations. He raises awareness and helps to make a difference in people's lives, especially those who are differently abled through "Vision to Reality," by collaborating with volunteers and leaders. In the corporate field, he is a leader in business, sales, and DEI who has founded new business units (BUs) with a mid-market focus and initiated the ACCESS ERG to advance disability inclusion at NTT DATA. He has successfully turned around a dormant, loss-making portfolio into NTT DATA's highest margin business unit and is a P&L leader. He has won five awards, including two from NTT Japan for social impact on written multiple opinion pieces, articles for print and digital media, and interviews on major US and Indian TV networks.Since 2019, he has been serving as the Executive Sponsor of ACCESS ERG. His experience includes managing delivery teams and global sales teams, building up an offshore high-performing sales team with the same quota as an onshore SE, structuring complex transformation deals while fostering a compassionate culture, and more.
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