The massive bomb blast that hit the Bombay Stock Exchange in 1993 cost Naresh Gidwani his eyesight. Gidwani, who used to work in his family business of manufacturing machines needed at airports and railway stations, realised he had to quit that for other prospects. "Once I lost my eyesight, I couldn't continue working in the same business. It required traveling, and also visiting other cities," Gidwani says. Accordingly, he moved to his family business, an audio and video service centre. His shop moved from servicing VCRs in 1997 to repairing other electronic appliances like amplifiers, LED panels, bluetooth devices, etc. "This business too was owned by my family. But not as big as the earlier thing. I had always been interested in electronics. Even when I was in college, I was interested in electronics, and so this felt like a natural move. Today, I manage to stay independent and live a life of respect," said Gidwani. Gidwani passed out as a Commerce graduate before doing business management. Gidwani, now 51, supervises the work being done by his technicians and also helps the newcomers and learners. "I work only to five per cent of my capacity. But a number of freshers have learnt and gone ahead, and work with prominent companies today," Gidwani said. Twenty-six years after the horrific accident, Gidwani compares his life to sailing with the wind. "I wouldn't call myself someone who has achieved great things. Life didn't give me that chance. I didn't carve anything out, but I managed to pull through. I live a life of respect." But does he have any grievances with the authorities? He blames government authorities for not having in place enough policies to rehabilitate people like him. "I was a good taxpayer. They said they can give me a phone booth. I know I was doing better than that," he says. DISABILITY SERIES DNA FPH Winners In Life - An initiative to celebrate the victory of the differently abled who have faced the greatest challenges in life and those who have helped them overcome it. ENROLL NOW... CATEGORIES Achievers Facilitators & Enablers Institutions Professionals Corporates & PSUs LAST DATE FOR NOMINATIONS 20TH FEB 2019 To enrol now visit us at www.dnaindia.com/winnersinlife/

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