Dhwani: Empowerment through Inclusion & Opportunity
Dhwani: Bangalore’s inclusive bar & kitchen, hiring from marginalized communities and promoting social change.
T. Veda Sri
Dhwani, a Bangalore-based bar and kitchen is making waves with its unique approach to social entrepreneurship. Located at Indiranagar, the establishment is dedicated to hiring individuals from marginalized communities with physical disabilities such as impaired hearing and speech, people with dwarfism, and members of the transgender community who are around us yet hidden from our sights.
“Our aim is to create a workforce filled with people with special needs. It’s to get into multiple ventures dealing with multiple ignored communities of the society while also providing people with an experience that will make a difference to them. That will make a difference to the way they see the world of disability,” says Karthik Sagiraju, the founder of Dhwani.
How it all started with Karthik?
“My journey with the world of disability started 12 years ago when I was still a student. It all started when I accidentally came across a post in a group called ‘Put Me In Touch With Bangalore’, asking for volunteers to become a scribe for a visually impaired person for an exam. My entire perspective about the world of disability changed after that day,” says Karthik.
Since then, Karthik along with a few other friends, started to regularly volunteer to write exams for the blind. Eventually, they volunteered to organize events at a special school where they witnessed people with various disabilities. He goes on to share that the idea of doing something for such communities became firmly etched in his mind with that interaction.
Turning the vision into reality
“We at Dhwani want people to not just come and dine with us but to also be a part of our journey in supporting these communities. Not just come and have a great time but, to also go back with an experience”, says Karthik. He further shared that it has been inspiring and humbling working with all these beautiful people. “And Bangalore has been really kind to have accepted us with open arms. The kind of reactions we get from people is just amazing”.
More about the ambience
The wide range of dining options with delicious food and drinks along with extremely lively and enjoyable ambience adds to its growing reputation as a unique and socially conscious bar and kitchen as shared by regular customers. The indoor seating area features a sign language message that reads ‘BE THE VOICE’, while the outdoor area showcases a pictorial representation of an inclusive environment. All the artwork is done by a group of people belonging to the Transgender Community.
A message to the society
“Inclusion starts from within. It starts by people becoming aware of communities which are not a part of the regular daily interactions. Only by creating awareness can we expect to create an impact,” says Karthik.
“We need to stop calling ourselves normal people and start normalizing workplaces with better opportunities if not equal opportunities. Every job is not suitable for every individual. But every workplace can still make room for individuals belonging to these communities”.
The founder and the people of Dhwani firmly hold the belief that nobody should be denied anything because of the way they are born. “We want to be their voice and not just an echo anymore”.
