An inspiring story of grit, innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
By A Correspondent
When life took a devastating turn for Akshay Sarode in 2017, it would have been easy to give up. He had built a thriving car rental business in Pune with a fleet of over 400 vehicles and a reputation for dependable service. But in an instant, everything changed. A near-fatal accident left him with a spinal cord injury, paralyzed below the chest. What followed was a battle—of body, mind, and spirit. But as it turns out, the accident didn’t end his journey. It simply gave it a whole new direction.
“I could’ve let the wheelchair define my limits,” Akshay tells us, his voice steady and filled with quiet conviction. “But I realized I still had something powerful—my mind, my experience, and my drive to create meaningful change.”
Out of this crucible of pain and reflection was born Rohini People Technology Pvt Ltd, a company that is today redefining what it means to be inclusive in the Indian workplace.
Rohini is a transformative platform committed to building a more inclusive and empowered world for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Driven by the belief that true equity begins with opportunity, Rohini serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, meaningful employment, and systemic change. Through its innovative programs and strong community engagement, Rohini is redefning what’s possible – one empowered life, one inclusive workplace, and one bold step at a time.
From Personal Struggle to a Purpose-Driven Mission
Before Rohini, Akshay had already begun shaping his second act. He started Entrepreneurs Parliament, a consulting venture to support startups, SMEs, and corporates with strategic direction. But while the business sharpened his entrepreneurial acumen, his real calling came in 2025, when he founded Rohini—an AI-enabled platform that empowers Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by connecting them to dignified work opportunities.
“The accident made me deeply aware of the barriers people with disabilities face—not just physical, but societal and psychological,” he reflects. “Rohini was born out of that understanding. It’s not charity; it’s about creating a competitive, inclusive workforce where PWDs are contributors, not dependents.”
Rohini’s Four Pillars of Transformation
Rohini is not a token initiative—it is a full-fledged, scalable platform that addresses the employment gap for India’s 60–70 million PWDs. The company stands on four strategic pillars:
- AI-Enabled Recruitment: Rohini’s vetted Talent Bank connects job-ready PWD candidates with forward-thinking corporates, improving diversity while enhancing business outcomes.
- Skilling, Reskilling, and Upskilling: Customized training programs prepare PWDs for in-demand roles, ensuring they remain competitive in the evolving job market.
- DEIA Solutions: The platform offers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility consulting to help businesses build truly inclusive work environments.
- Gig Work for PWDs: Through flexible gig-based assignments, Rohini promotes financial independence while honoring each individual’s unique abilities.
What makes Rohini stand out is its integrated model—where technology, social innovation, and business outcomes converge to create long-term impact.
Backed by Visionaries and Built for Scale
Already, Rohini has attracted support from a growing community—100 Possibility Circle Members, 19 CEOs, and a strong tech partnership to enable operational scalability. An early-stage MVP is in place, and the company is projecting ₹1 crore in revenue this year. Rohini is also raising ₹1 crore from impact-driven investors, with ₹25 lakhs already committed.
But for Akshay, these milestones are secondary to the deeper mission. “Our goal is to impact a million lives globally,” he says. “We’re not just building a company. We’re building an inclusive ecosystem.”
A Leader Who Leads by Example
Akshay’s leadership is deeply personal and relentlessly optimistic. His LinkedIn profile doesn’t read like a resume—it reads like a manifesto.
“My purpose is not just personal success but to create a lasting impact on society… I’m committed 24x7x365 to building an inclusive ecosystem where PWDs find respectful job opportunities, and businesses embrace true inclusivity—driving both social change and business success.”
He speaks openly about the early challenges after his accident—the loss of independence, the emotional toll, the uncertainty. “At first, I didn’t know where to begin. But I had the support of my family, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs. That made all the difference.”
Today, Akshay runs Rohini with two parallel goals:
- Empowering entrepreneurs, helping people take charge of their lives by building businesses.
- Creating a global platform for PWDs, where companies and talented individuals with disabilities connect meaningfully.
His message is as uplifting as it is urgent:
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. You hold infinite potential. Nothing can stop you from completing your storyline.”
A Vision Worth Sharing
Rohini isn’t just a company—it’s a movement. And Akshay Sarode isn’t just a founder—he’s a changemaker, using his personal story to fuel a national mission. In a time when diversity and inclusion are buzzwords in boardrooms, Rohini offers a real, actionable, and scalable blueprint to make it happen.
As Akshay says, “Let’s build a world where entrepreneurship thrives, inclusion is the norm, and possibilities are limitless.”
For those who believe in the power of resilience, innovation, and social purpose—this is a story worth telling. And a vision worth joining.
