I can... with a difference

Software and related companies are not new to the globalised village. But this time you need to raise your brows, for this  ‘I can technologies’, not just for the reason a ‘special person’ is the founder and CEO, but for his confidence and achievements, writes S Shivaranjini

“I can,” as he says, “I will, I shall take-up the challenges to provide quality service for my customers.” 

I can technologies (www.icantech.in) was founded by a young entrepreneur N Pandu Ranga Rao in December 2010, who wants to take software and web world to heights with right spirits. He began as lab instructor in JSS Polytechnic for differently-abled in Mysore, after finishing his diploma in computer science at CPC Polytechnic college. Though he developed two major softwares for the JSS polytechnic office use, he obtained best experience at Excel Soft Technologies. Rao is grateful to the MD D Sudanva for encouraging him to develop softwares on his own. “ I never went to any special classes to learn anything other than my formal education, I’ve learnt it through opportuinities I got in Excel Soft.”

Born to Sunanda and Narayana Gowda on August 24, 1975, Rao was afflicted with cerebral palsy during birth, reason for which his motor conditions have caused physical disability. Cerebral  refers to cerebrum, the affected part of the brain and palsy is the disorder of movement. However, the brave couple never lost heart at the condition, rather they wanted their son to get education. They got him good education at normal schools. After his SSLC in first class, it was difficult for him to enter PUC. His mother did take a chance to get him admissions in CPC Polytechnic. He has even obtained a BSc in IT from KSOU.

He has been humiliated a few of the times during his education. “I have been frustrated with the experiences in life for just the reason I am disabled. But I want to show the world, people like me can achieve anything. Teachers should have an open mind, they must have a heart to listen to the students. I may not know many things. I listen to my students and learn from them,” he says.

While being a lab instructor, he involved Yathish who is also physically disabled in his activities for flash developing. As a result now ‘ I can technologies’ has been founded with services of website development, web hosting, software development and product development.

Starting with a small quiz program to developing a website, his journey seems amazing. When he was freelancer during 2003-07, inspired by ‘ kaun banega crorepathi’, he developed a small program ‘quiz master’ published in the CD of PC-Quest. He developed alerts which gives reminders on the desktop, when the computer is switched on and booted to windows desktop.

His wife Jyothi P Rao is supportive in all his activities. Speaking about his life’s ambition, he says,  “I dedicate myself to work for a reason that at least few people like me will get employment, recognised not for their disability but for their talent.  I want them to get into the mainstream. They need to get opportunities than sympathy.”

Pandu Ranga Rao N on facebook, has a page ProgrammingBasics.in through which he conducts quiz for the software bugs. In 2006, he was honoured by AIISH on the world disabled day. In 2008, Rao was awarded ‘achiever award’ by GSB Bankers educational and welfare Trust. They even felicitated him during their teacher’s day celebrations.

“Nothing is impossible. Not the same person must win the race. Some one new needs to win. Computers bore me to some extent, I love to travel”, he says smiling in front of his computer.