Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai Tailor

Kanubhai Tailor, popularly known as "A Man on the Wheel," is a renowned social reformer who dedicated his life to empowering persons with disabilities in Gujarat and across India. Born in Adas village of Anand Taluka, Kheda district, into a poor and superstitious family, he was affected by poliomyelitis in childhood due to lack of medical care. Despite severe physical challenges, he pursued education with determination, studying at Apang Manav Mandal and Sahajanand Arts & Commerce College in Ahmedabad. In 1979, Kanubhai led an 11-day hunger strike demanding free bus travel for persons with disabilities. The Government of Gujarat accepted his demand, granting free transportation benefits to thousands. In 1985, he moved to Surat in search of better opportunities. Facing poverty and homelessness, he established a small printing press and began training disabled individuals to become financially independent. In 1991, he founded the Disable Welfare Trust of India to provide education, vocational training, and rehabilitation services to marginalized disabled persons. His remarkable humanitarian efforts earned him several honors, including the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 2011. His inspiring life was depicted in the 2023 Gujarati biographical film Kanubhai The Great, and his journey was documented in the book Man on the Wheel, published by the National Book Trust under an initiative of Narendra Modi. TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad