Dr. Bhavesh Bhatia is a man whose life story defies the ordinary. As the owner of Sunrise Candles, a company boasting an annual revenue of ₹350 crore, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Born in a small village of Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, Bhavesh was afflicted with a condition known as retina muscular deterioration disease that leads to blindness within a few years, and tragically, Bhavesh lost his sight at the young age of 23.
His early life was marked by adversity. Bhavesh faced relentless bullying during his school days and in his community. Amidst these challenges, his mother provided him with the love, comfort, and strength to see the brighter side of life. She instilled in him a sense of honor and self-respect through creativity, which would later become his guiding light.
Despite the profound loss of his mother to cancer and the difficulties of navigating a world not designed for the visually impaired, Bhavesh found solace in creativity. Drawing from his mother’s teachings, he immersed himself in crafting candles – a medium that allowed him to express himself through shape and scent.
Driven by determination and innovation, Bhavesh overcame the limitations imposed by his blindness. Learning from the National Association for the Blind, he honed his skills using touch and smell to experiment with colors and fragrances. With a borrowed cart, he began selling his handcrafted candles at local markets, marking the humble beginnings of Sunrise Candles.
Love also played a transformative role in Bhavesh’s life. His encounter with Neeta proved to be serendipitous, blossoming into a profound partnership. Despite societal disapproval, Neeta stood steadfastly by Bhavesh’s side, supporting him in both his personal and entrepreneurial endeavors.
The road to success was fraught with challenges. Rejected by conventional lenders due to his blindness, Bhavesh persevered and secured a loan through a specialized program for visually impaired entrepreneurs. With an initial investment in wax, dyes, and a cart, he laid the foundation for Sunrise Candles, investing Rs 50 per day in the cart and Rs 25 in raw materials.
Today, Sunrise Candles stands as a testament to Bhavesh’s vision and resilience. What began as a small enterprise has grown into a thriving business with 71 manufacturing units across 14 states. Remarkably, over 9,500 visually impaired individuals find employment and empowerment through Sunrise Candles, which exports its products to 67 countries worldwide.
More than a manufacturer of exquisite candles, Sunrise Candles represents inclusivity and opportunity. Bhavesh Bhatia’s legacy is not just in revenue figures but in the lives he has touched and the barriers he has shattered. His journey from darkness to light serves as an inspiration to all, proving that with determination, creativity, and unwavering support, anything is possible.