Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar

A light blue gradient background with navy blue text has “The D-30 Disability Impact List” at the top centered above “2025 Honoree” which is in between two laurels. Below, text “Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar (he/him), India” are to the left of a picture of them, which fills the right. At the bottom left corner is text “Diversability, #D30DisList”.

Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar

He/him/his

Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam International

India

Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar is a social entrepreneur, blind cricket leader, and founder of Samarthanam International, an organization that serves people with disabilities and underserved communities across India. Blind since infancy, Mahantesh overcame barriers to earn his MA and M.Phil in English Literature and spent five years teaching law students. In 1997, he launched Samarthanam, which now provides education, vocational training, and tech-driven solutions for inclusion. He is also Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and former President of World Blind Cricket. His leadership has promoted assistive technology, inclusive sports, and accessible education for thousands. A passionate advocate for using tech to enable independence, Mahantesh continues to empower others through innovation, advocacy, and resilience.