Shanti Raghavan: The Quiet Force Powering India’s Disability Inclusion Movement

In a world obsessed with unicorn startups and flashy valuations, Shanti Raghavan chose a quieter, deeper path — one that empowers those often left behind in the noise of India’s economic boom. Her story isn’t about disruption for headlines, but transformation at the human level.

Back in the late 1990s, Shanti’s younger brother lost his vision due to a degenerative eye disease. What could have been a tragic full stop became a new beginning. Watching him reclaim his independence and confidence through technology and training sparked a bigger idea in Shanti — what if every person with a disability had the tools to live a life of dignity and purpose?

That question gave birth to Enable India, a social enterprise she co-founded in 1999 to make the workforce more inclusive. With over two decades of grassroots work, Enable India has empowered more than 300,000 people with disabilities across India — training them in employable skills, building tech-based accessibility tools, and sensitizing companies to open their doors to disabled talent.

Here’s the kicker: Shanti Raghavan didn’t just focus on charity. Her approach is rooted in inclusive leadership, sustainable employment, and systemic change. She works directly with employers to break biases and redesign roles, proving that disability inclusion isn't a CSR checkbox — it's a competitive advantage.

One of the lesser-known but revolutionary initiatives under her belt is the 'Billionable Mission', aiming to make every Indian with a disability 'billionable' — or capable of contributing a billion rupees to the economy. It’s audacious, ambitious, and quietly changing the narrative around disability in India.

For young entrepreneurs, Shanti Raghavan’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-led leadership. In a world that glorifies speed and scale, she teaches us the power of patience, persistence, and people-first impact.

As India’s startup ecosystem matures, it’s voices like Shanti’s that remind us: the most powerful innovations are often not tech products, but inclusive mindsets.