Dr. Jitender Aggarwal’s journey from a dental surgeon to a champion for disability empowerment is deeply intertwined with his personal experience of vision loss. In 2004, Dr. Aggarwal was diagnosed with macular degeneration of the retina, a condition that caused irreversible blindness and abruptly altered the course of his life.
Encountering the grim reality of limited employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India, despite qualifications and skills, he faced systemic barriers ranging from social stigma to inadequate infrastructure.
Instead of yielding to despair, he taught himself to use screen readers and assistive technologies that opened new paths to independence. His personal battle inspired the creation of the Sarthak Educational Trust in 2008, which began in a single centre in Delhi aiming to empower PwDs with skills and sustainable jobs.
Over the last 17 years, this initiative has blossomed into a nationwide movement with 25 centres across 20 states, impacting over 600,000 PwDs through education, skill-building, and employment support.
From Adversity to Advocacy: The Birth of Sarthak
Dr. Aggarwal’s transformation was not merely a personal miracle but a clarion call to address the deeply rooted challenges faced by PwDs in India. The Trust is built on a life-cycle approach to inclusion, providing interventions spanning early childhood therapies to mainstream education, skill development, and entrepreneurial support.
Its flagship program, JEET (Job Employment & Entrepreneurship Training), delivers free, customised training equipping youth with disabilities for sectors like IT, retail, hospitality, banking, and e-commerce.
Collaborations with over 2,000 corporate partners and multiple state governments amplify its reach and success. Dr. Aggarwal’s vision counters social prejudices by promoting accessibility, awareness, and attitudinal change, helping PwDs gain financial independence and social dignity.
The Sarthak Global Resource Centre: A Hub of Innovation and Inclusion
A major milestone came in December 2024 with the inauguration of the Sarthak Global Resource Centre in Gurugram by India’s Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Centre represents a pioneering, comprehensive ecosystem for PwDs, housing research facilities, training rooms, and accessible event spaces.
It offers online services like a mobile app and toll-free helpline designed to support PwDs directly, along with innovative sensory play areas for children with disabilities. The centre conducts accessibility audits and sensitisation workshops aimed at reducing workplace barriers and shifting organizational mindsets.
Its infrastructure exemplifies universal design principles, serving as a blueprint for inclusive workplaces and societies. The Centre also plays a key role in preparing candidates for national and international platforms like the 11th International Abilympics scheduled in Finland, promoting talent and raising visibility.
Vision 2027: Ambitious Targets for a More Inclusive India
Looking ahead, Sarthak Educational Trust has set an ambitious Vision 2027. The goal is to empower 10 million PwDs and sustainably employ 200,000 youth through expanded programming and entrepreneurial support.
This includes strengthening civil society networks nationally and internationally, enhancing digital solutions like the GyanSarathi e-learning portal, and scaling early intervention and inclusive education modules.
The vision ensures continuity across the disability inclusion spectrum, from early childhood to lifelong skills and leadership. Despite successes, the Trust acknowledges ongoing challenges: infrastructural inadequacies, social stigma, policy gaps, and need for comprehensive accessibility.
Sarthak advocates for collaborative efforts involving government bodies, corporate entities, and communities to forge systemic transformation.
Recognitions and Awards Highlighting Impact
Sarthak’s efforts have been recognized extensively. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment honoured the Trust with the National Award 2023 for Best NGO in the Disability Sector, presented by the President of India.
Dr. Aggarwal has received awards including the BWDisrupt Social Impact Award of Excellence 2021 and the AIWEFA Nina Sibal Memorial Award 2023.
These accolades acknowledge the effectiveness of its Job Employment & Entrepreneurship Training program and broader contributions towards empowering millions of PwDs. Such recognition furthers awareness on disability rights and encourages replication of successful models across the country.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal’s story and Sarthak’s expanding legacy underscore a vital truth: disability inclusion is not charity but a mandate of equity, dignity, and societal progress. The Trust exemplifies how resilience paired with systemic interventions can transform lives, breaking barriers between potential and opportunity.
The Logical Indian aligns with this vision of an empathetic, inclusive society where all individuals, regardless of ability, are afforded respect, access, and avenues for growth. The challenge before us is large: How can governments, businesses, and citizens deepen collaborative action to ensure empowerment for PwDs moves from policy to pervasive reality, fostering true social harmony and justice?
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