PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Dec 3: Vineet Saraiwala, founder of Atypical Advantage, a Jamshedpur-based NGO received the prestigious National Award from President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi today for his welfare work for the disabled.
Ever since its inception Atypical Advantage not only provided recruitment opportunities to the disabled but also helped in enriching the lives of persons with disabilities.
The award given on International Day of Persons with Disabilities carried a citation and a memento.
Achievements of Atypical Advantage
The citation reads: Atypical Advantage India’s pioneering platform empowered 20,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) by facilitating job placements and artistic opportunities.
In its three-year journey, it has secured 508 full-time job offers for PWDs with renowned companies like Amazon and Nestle. The platform’s commitment to diversity is further evidenced by training programs and collaborations with over 250 global brands. It was honoured with the National Startup Award 2023 in the Social Impact category.
In recognition of the outstanding work being done by Atypical Advantage the National Award 2024 for institutions engaged in empowering persons with disabilities in the category of -Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshreshth Placement Agency- is conferred to it.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, hosted the prestigious National Awards, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024.
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Atypical Advantage runs India’s largest livelihood platform for PWDs
Saraiwala, the founder of Atypical Advantage, runs the country’s largest livelihood platform for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Atypical Advantage is a brand operated by Atypical Platform Private Limited, a registered company, has its office at the Circuit House Area.
Notably, it is the only integrated talent platform for Persons with Disabilities where they can showcase their skills and get valuable opportunities to connect with corporates, individuals and agencies across the globe.
Saraiwala appeared on Shark Tank
Vineet Saraiwala is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). He was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa which causes loss of eyesight with the passage of time. His own experiences led him to start the platform.
Significantly, on January 11, last year Vineet Saraiwala made an appearance in Sony TV’s reality show Shark Tank season-II.
In his less than 2-minute pitch, Vineet spoke about his IIM journey, why he started Atypical Advantage, the impact he has created so far why nazariya (perspective) is more important than nazariya (eyesight).
After a series of questions, doubts and bantering between judges, Vineet went with the offer made by Namita and Aman, Rs 30 Lakhs for 3% equity.
The best part that came out of the episode was the overwhelming support from the judges of Shark Tank and people across the country.
