Breaking Barriers, I Will Fly
– Srikanth Bolla
Detailed Summary
“Breaking Barriers, I Will Fly” is a powerful autobiographical speech by Srikanth Bolla, a visually challenged entrepreneur who overcame extreme difficulties to succeed and inspire thousands. He begins by describing his poor rural upbringing in a farming family earning just ₹20,000 a year. His birth without eyesight shocked everyone, and society viewed him as a burden, even suggesting he should not live.
Despite his disability, his parents loved and supported him deeply. As a child, he tried to help his father in the fields, but his physical limitations led his father to realise that education, not farming, was his future. He had a tough time in mainstream school—excluded from activities and friends, and treated unfairly.
Later, he was admitted to a special school in Hyderabad, where he excelled. He represented India in chess and cricket and even worked with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. When he scored over 90% in Class 10, he wanted to pursue science, but authorities refused, citing his blindness. Srikanth fought a six-month legal battle and finally won the right to study science—with no support materials, he studied through audio recordings and scored 98%.
Still, he was denied access to IIT entrance due to his blindness. Undeterred, he applied abroad and was admitted to MIT, becoming its first international blind student. After his studies, he rejected corporate offers in the USA and returned to India to help others like him.
Srikanth co-founded Bollant Industries, a company that employs over 150 disabled people and earns over a million dollars annually. His message is clear: true success comes through compassion, perseverance, and service.
Theme
- Perseverance and self-belief can overcome any challenge.
- Disabilities are challenges, not limitations.
- Society must support inclusion and accessibility.
- Success is service—helping others rise is real achievement.