Bhavesh Bhatia

Early life Bhavesh was born with retina macular degeneration and had little sight while he was growing up. Before starting Sunrise Candles, he worked as a telephone operator at a Hotel in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. At the age of 23, Bhavesh lost his job. At NAB, Bhavesh also took training in acupressure, braille and few other things.

According to Bhavesh, he wanted to start his own business for candle making but moulds were expensive that he could not afford. He started working as massage and acupressure therapist in hotels in Mahabaleshwar. This job helped him save money with which he bought a plain candle mould and 5 kg wax. He started making plain candles and worked as a street vendor in front of Holy Cross church in Mahabaleshwar. He used to set aside Rs 25 per day for next day's raw material.

Bhavesh tried to get help from many sources but he could not get the technical and professional assistance though people helped him out of sympathy.

Sunrise candles, which employs a team of 3470 Visually Impaired people and Divyang, in 14 states of India now imports wax from UK and manufacture different kinds of candle which include pillar candles, floating candles, novelty candles, gel candles, toy shaped candles, fruit basket candle and traditional candles.

Wax Museum Made by blind Bhavesh opened a Skill development center at Moleshwar village, near Mahabaleshwar, to train physically disabled people in the art of designer candle making. Training is provided in different aspects of candle making which largely depends on type of physical disability and personal aptitude of the person. This center is known as wax museum, Made By Blind.

Other achievements He received a National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2014 and again in 2019, in the self-employed and role model categories respectively.

Bhavesh has participated in paralympic games. Till now, he has won 114 Paralympic, NAB and IBSA medals in sports events.

Divyangjan Udyog bhushan puraskar from Govt of Maharashtra by hands of Former Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Ji Fadanvis Shot put, discus throw and javelin throw gold medals in National Paralympic games, New Delhi, 2014 Gold medal in shot put and silver medal in discus throw in National Paralympic 2012 Gold medal in shot put, discus throw in Maharashtra state paralympics, Nasik, 2010, 2012 Silver medal in javelin throw in Maharashtra state paralympics, Nasik, 2010, 2012 Hon.Doctorate from #Rani Chennamma University Belagavi, Karnataka, 29 May-2019

TV appearance Bhavesh was called in Satyamev Jayate (TV series).