Blind businessmen run successful venture in Kolkata

BusinessKolkata, Jan. 3 : By successfully running a production unit despite being visually challenged, two brothers in Kolkata have proved how life can still be turned meaningful despite one’s physical handicap.

Vikram Dalmia (38) and Rajat Dalmiya (28) lost their vision at a young age following a hereditary disease Retinia Pigmentation. They were studying in standard XII at that time.

Retinia Pigmentation is a progressive deterioration of eyesight leading to blindness and it is incurable, said Rajat.

But the duo were not deterred by their handicap. They established Starpet Polymers, a production unit and led it to a profitable journey keeping abreast with the technological strides.

They used high-end mobile phones and laptops with a special software that translates all into audio to ensure a hassle-free management of Starpet Polymers.

Starpert Polymers, which employs 30 skilled technicians, produces plastic street light covers for Philips India, the pioneering company in lumen and radio technology.

"As Managing Director, one is a facilitator who has to ensure that everything is in its place. I have a laptop with me in which a talking-software is installed. It helps to read daily work reports that are mailed to me. If I have an issue, I discuss it with my quality supervisor, product supervisor and technical supervisor and the problem is sorted out," said Rajat Dalmiya, Managing Director, Starpet Polymers.

"I also have talking software in my mobile phone using which I can listen to messages and reply back too. I never felt that being visually impaired I have a problem in dealing with my business. To succeed in business one needs a vision to foresee challenges of future," Rajat added.

Located at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, the Starpet Polymers is established on a sprawling 30 acres plot having a floor area of 8,000 square feet.

The employees work like a team and coordinate with the duo.

The brothers are looked upon with respect by everyone around for setting commendable standards in concepts of management.

"They are experienced. They can make out the quality of any product by merely touching it. They touch a product and tell us what is lacking in it, and accordingly, we maintain quality in our products," said Kuntal Munshi, an employee of Starpet Polymers in Kolkata.

"Both the brothers are very efficient. They keep on telling us ways to improve our cutting, packing and labelling for good results and we follow their directions," said Jaideb Dey, another employee, Starpet Polymers, Kolkata.

With the success of Starpet Polymers which was established two years ago, the Dalmiya brothers have plans to diversify and set up a rupees 10 million mineral water bottling plant in the city.

Vikram is happily married whereas Rajat is still an eligible bachelor. (ANI)

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