CORPORATE TALK WITH A DIFFERENCE

As an initiative by Human Resource Department there was a talk by Mr. Dhananjay Bhole, Coordinator, Advanced Technology Blind Student’s Learning Centre at University of Pune. The centre is an extension of Department of Education and Extension, University of Pune. His area of expertise lies in development and strategic planning, coordination of assistive technology training program and accessibility research programs at University of Pune especially for persons with visual disabilities. He initiated several important projects for welfare of education of visually challenged at the Centre. Mr Bhole is the First visually challenged student in Asia who has done B.Sc. (Botany) and a postgraduate degree in Bioinformatics. He received "Vocational excellence award 2010" by Rotary Club of Poona and it is given to people with disabilities but have exceptional abilities.

Mr Bhole addressed the students of HR and Marketing on 3rd August 2018 and it was quite an experience for them. He broached the subject of Inclusive HR. The speaker articulated that a major challenge being faced by differently abled workforce, in today’s organizational setup, is that they are given very less importance and not taken seriously. Mr Dhananjay Bhole explained the role of an inclusive HR, thereby a new portal, full of challenging opportunities, was introduced to the students.

Mr. Dhananjay also briefed them about varied HR policies being framed by organizations for recruitment and training of differently abled workforce. The speaker also highlighted the importance of hiring such employees and how precautionary measures are undertaken during recruitment process. The legal aspects cannot be overruled as it might have repercussions at a later date.

The HR sudents were also briefed about different kinds of disabilities that affect human beings and also chalked out the difference in processes that companies need to follow while recruiting and later training such workforce.

Mr Bhole especially highlighted the importance of recognizing and giving opportunities to such people and assist them in being incorporated in an organisation. It cannot be denied that it is the moral responsibility of an organization to include such people so that they are considered a part of the main stream workforce.

Mr. Dhananjay also clarified the business intentions of an organization when they recruit differently abled workforce. Thus organizations can effectively utilize them for the welfare of their industry. It was a great learning experience for a management student to hear about the trend setters who have made an indelible impact in the industry. 

Hence, the talk was extremely beneficial for HR students as they came to know about the terms and conditions pertaining to recruitment of a differently abled workforce in an industry. It generated a feeling of empathy for the physically challenged people and they also felt proud of the achievements of such people, who achieved success in an industry against all odds.