With full dedication, Pavithra YS of e-Vindhya InfoMedia, made her mark by creating job opportunities for people with disabilities for its operations in data management, data entry, processing and conversion

Seven years ago, Pavithra YS started Vindhya e-InfoMedia in Bengaluru as a unique social-economic BPO (business process outsourcing) unit with a unique workforce of differently abled people. It is probably the only for-profit organisation, which, as a matter of policy, employees mainly people with disabilities (PwD) as its production staff. Today, two-thirds of Vindya’s employees are people with disabilities, so much so that sign language is the official language at Vindhya. Last year, the company had a turnover of Rs4 crore and Pavithra aims to double it to Rs9crore this year with its unique workforce. Though the turnover is low compared to the number of employees, she declined to disclose the company’s profit figures.

Vindhya’s clients include Airtel, IBM, Titan and Wipro among others. Her unique initiative won Pavithra, the managing partner of Vindya, many awards and recognitions. 

Read an excerpt of her interview to Hitisha Jain of Moneylife (ML):

ML: Tell us about your business and how it was started?

Pavithra YS (PYS): To achieve the goal of enabling employment for people with disabilities (PwD) and ensuring that they can become the bread winners for their family Vindhya was founded on 4 July 2006 with two employees on board. They say small drops of water make an ocean, so what started as a company with two employees has now grown to be a 500+ strong organization today and is emerging as one of the key providers of outstanding customer services to channel partners. Vindhya e-Infomedia provides IT and ITES services by connecting the world with people with disabilities.  We deliver high quality, reliable, scalable back office and contact centre solutions. Our team works collaboratively to craft solutions that address the requirement of business and ensure superior customer satisfaction.

ML: What inspired you to set up this organization?

PYS: Vindhya wanted to bring together business and philanthropy. Persons with disabilities are mostly ignored by mainstream society and they have very limited opportunity to join the mainstream. Providing employment opportunities to them, and helping them emerge as confident and competent individuals in this world, was a burning problem and we decided to address this need through Vindhya.

ML: How do you deal with the glitches that are often a part of starting a new business?

PYS: Glitches are part of any venture, as a team we are very strong and never looked back. We created a better environment today mostly because we learnt how to deal with the glitches that we faced initially. In the process we have learnt a lot more about disability. Sign language was one of the essential means of communication with the hearing impaired, which we made the official language at Vindhya. We also realised that people travel to work from far off places, so we also created accommodation for them.

ML: What drives you to work every day?

PYS: My employees, their dedication and commitment are a true inspiration of many and that’s the main driving force for me to work every day.

ML: What plans do you have for your business?

PYS: We are in a growth phase at present. From being a small company we are now a mid-sized organisation. On the business front, we would like to venture into more complex business segments and take up challenging assignments and also mark our presence across the globe. Vindhya at present employs around 600 employees. The goal is to increase it to 5,000 Vindhyans by the end of 2020.

ML: Who are the main supporters?

PYS: We are funded by Michael Dell and Susan Dell Foundation and Accion Investors.  And most importantly, my customers and my employees (Vindhyans) are my supporters.

ML: Why is it important to encourage entrepreneurship in India, especially among women?

PYS: Entrepreneurship is primarily an opportunity whereby you can make a difference through your ideas and vision. The difference can impact may a small number of individuals to a big population. One of the best things entrepreneurs do is to stay motivated and embrace challenges that surround themselves with encouraging people who support their pursuits.

Historically women have always been underplayed in this male dominated society. For centuries, women have been confined only to four walls of the home. Currently we are in world where we have made significant technological advancements and are taking big leaps forward. We always talk about gender equality, so what better forum to make it happen than providing an opportunity for a women entrepreneur to come forward in this world and make a difference. Also women are known for their multi-tasking, patience, ability to motivate and create a better environment, which is all required for an entrepreneur to grow an organization.

ML: What are your main sources of finance?

PYS: The Company started with self funding. Later, we took a loan from a public sector bank. After that, the company is supported by Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

ML: What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman entrepreneur?

PYS: To be very honest, there was no challenge as a women entrepreneur but I faced challenges as an entrepreneur, like anyone else. I have a highly supportive husband, who is always with me without giving me a reason to think about gender in performing my duties at work.
 

ML: What are the best ways to connect in your industry – which national and local networking organizations, conferences have you found most valuable? 

PYS: I have been part of a lot of events and felt that most of them focus on networking. Among them Sankalp is one such event which is been very educative and powerful and also others like the NASSCOM forum are also good.
 

ML: What plans do you have for the future for your company?

PYS: Vindhya is focusing towards becoming a largest social enterprise by being the best BPO’s, providing quality support to our customers and we would definitely focus on expansion and the same is already on plan.

ML: What are your tips for women entrepreneurs trying to make it in a competitive world?

PYS: One important thing is to please focus on your organisation’s profitability, as you need to sustain, so make some money. As a women entrepreneur we miss on the networking aspect, please make use of this. Finally, do not give up!

(In the run up to International Women’s Day on 8^th March, Moneylife will run a series of Women Entrepreneurs who have made a mark. If you know women who ought to be featured in this series, do write to us with details at [email protected]. And if you are a women entrepreneur wanting to expand your business and grow, do keep in touch with our not-for-profit entity at foundation.moneylife.in - we have some news in store)