Startup for a cause

Entrepreneurship can be an intimidating journey. The long yet bumpy road to success can often drive away potential candidates to handsome salaries and regular jobs. Only a few determined can break the comfort zone around to support their dreams, which sometimes revolve around a noble cause.

For 24-year old Sashikanth Kaja, his company “Reweel” is more than just an organisation. It is his way of contributing to a cause he fervently believes in. Kaja’s motto is to promote eco-friendly products and encourage people to cut down on the usage of plastic. And thus he decided to centre his venture around cloth bags.

Sashikanth, a nature lover, says he believed in the cause even as a child, “I always wanted to do my part for the society and help bring about a change. I was so surprised to see how people brazenly used plastic bags even though there are banned. A lack of awareness regarding the resulting hazards is probably why people still use plastic. Many believe that resorting to plastic bags is cheaper while cloth satchels are relatively expensive and are unfit for daily usage and also are unavailable in most places.

Kaja initially manufactured cotton bags and sold them for a paltry sum. By bringing together women of low income groups, he not only promoted his product but provided employment to the needy. “Even though people are aware of these environmental hazards, they still use plastic as it is easily accessible. I hope by selling these cloth bags at affordable prices to the common man, I can do my bit for the society and save the environment” says Sashikanth. Starting a social enterprise wasn’t an easy task for the young dreamer. But in 2013, UnLtd (Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs) Hyderabad encouraged him by providing him the needed capital to kick-start his project.

Apart from running “Reweel”, Sashikanth also leads clean drive camps in Hyderabad with seven other volunteers. He was inspired by a group from Bangalore named ‘The Ugly Indian’ that beautifies ugly spots around local communities and maintains them. Twice a month, likeminded volunteers meet up to discuss and plan drives to promote cleanliness and organise activities to clean up their surroundings.

Ask him how he manages to multi-task efficiently and pat comes the reply, “It all depends on how motivated you are. I always believed in fixing things for good, whether it be helping someone or filling a pothole. Supporting a cause not only helped me know more about my society and the people around but also made me look into myself and explore my interests. I started my company since I was connected to the cause and believed that it was only about remembering to carry your own bag while you shop”.

“I want to start project “Captain Planet” in schools to promote the use of cloth bags and detail their importance. The change should take place at the grassroot level. These toddlers are the future of India. I also want to start a campaign to create awareness in corporate companies, schools and colleges” he concludes.

By BHAGYA SHREE KOTTOORI