Nisheeth Mehta

In 1978 a young enterprising gentleman Nisheeth Mehta founded Microsign in Bhavnagar, Gujrat with a vision to create technically advanced and society friendly organisation. During its humble beginning Microsign produced precision marking systems, later venturing into engineering plastic fasteners and protective tubings. Microsign, now a company of over forty years of experience, is proud to be one of the leading companies in fasteners sector, precision marking and protective tubings and is gaining recognition and clients who have their presence internationally and are used in the automotive industry, defense, aerospace, electrical and electronics, space applications and many more areas.

Microsign is nationally and internationally recognised for empowering differently and growing together. The company give accessibility to differently abled people which consist of around 50% of its total work force. Microsign management’s consistent efforts in creating an environment where every individual’s contribution is recognised and valued and by each individual as an urge to excel and contribute to achieve the shared vision.

Awards & Accolades:

• Featured in national television by mega star Amitabh Bacchan

• Presidential award in 1999

• Real Heroes award, FICCI award, etc.

• Member of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), ACMA (Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India) and SIDM (Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers)

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Microsign has earned its credibility not just for its work but also for its vision. What made you think and do differently?

When we have started our factory somewhere in the year 1971, we have worked upto 85-86. I have the experience to work with the normal people. But, I could find disability within these normal people. There’s a huge gap in desire and deserving level. And working towards the output, in normal course the optimum quantity has been hampered. For example, if the output should have been 100%, then we would just receive 70%. Meaning we were at loss of 30% gap. Why the gap existed? Because the employee’s desire and deserving level differs, they work less and hence the output is less too due to distraction in his mind. His thinking of not putting in optimum work, as per the salary received he always has a tendency to do less work without commitment and sincerity. So, I thought that in our society, there are many deserving people who are differently abled people, who has various disabilities. I wanted to experience their potentialities and without being biased they should also be given a fair chance. If only we try their potentialities, we can get to know how far they are best or they are waste. In a span of just 5 years, we got to know so much about it, I got convinced that they are the right people and they can become a good productive part for us. And they can become the productive partners for India. They were not utilized to the fullest, and once they into the process of utility they will also start earning for themselves. Secondly, the normal people are considering them as a waste and as a liability. But, we people at the Microsign are considering them as an asset. Hence, if we learn to utilize these people and give them work in their appropriate work areas, they will always be proving how they are best.

When you thought of involving them in your company to work, what was your initial count?

Every year from 1986 I tried to employ one to two people in my company. In this process, I already completed 40 years. Today at present there are 55 to 60 differently abled people working in my company. Rest 25 people are normal employees who are in minority. These differently abled people who are handling our productions, etc. are in majority and we are supplying our products to aeronautics, defense, automobile, ISRO, etc. I have brought in Japanese technology and the differently abled workers are working profusely with it, even the AI machines. Technology is upgraded to bring in the best in the products. But the best process is to upgrade oneself is the human technology, the real human workers. That’s our strategy. They are our true asset.

The best input from your end is that you erased the thinking that they are differently abled. Your efforts normalized it.

Yes, they consider that this is our factory and with pride and ownership they are doing their work. They never pointed out upon desire and deserving. It's been 40 years now, and they are truly our asset. I always give this solution to my son Pratheek who is running the factory, that, differently abled people must always be treated well. They are with us working from 25 - 30 - 40 years. They get PF, gratuity, they get everything that are officially and legally possible. When they came to join us, they came in a try-cycle. After a year or two, they drive a motorcycle. We support at least 30% to 35% subsidy. Rest amount left is done SIP. We urge them to live quality of life. When the society witnesses these, then they will realize their progress. You considered them useless but they proved themselves to be worthful.

How could the thought that was vague in people’s mind, you got it established and proved its vitality?

Not just change, but I intend to bring transformation. After all of these efforts, other companies also started this, like the Ford India, Honda Motorcycle, etc. who employed around many people. When they came to felicitate me, they said, we have not come to inspect and to learn as to how this is possible? And I also have this in my nature to do things which are often not done before or are considered not to be done. Complicated and hard works which are intended to be done later, I always do it first. I love taking challenges. The benefit in it is creating and generating opportunities. Every one cannot do it, because one needs to have a will power, inner strength and fire. There will be fire, but one needs to control, manage and learn to pave the way through it. God has given us the brain, we need to manage it. Noise should be less and work should be more. I also contribute 50% towards the education fee of their children, so that they also have an equal responsibility and feel that they are also paying responsibly for their children. We have someone working in our company who does not have legs. One of his child is studying MBBS in Bhavnagar. I always feel supporting the deserving people. I support the fire they have within them. Somewhere good they will reach. We also went together to Rishikesh in Haridwar, for a week with 100 of my people in an AC sleeping bus coach. We travelled through Jaipur, Pushkar, Ajmer, etc. A cook along with utensils also accompanied us. They said they have never been out of Bhavnagar and had an urge to visit pilgrimage. I feel good in making people feel good for themselves. I also took my people to Somnath temple, Dwarka, etc. 25 years back I also took them to Essel World Water Park. I believe in practicing equality. I also follow Bhagwat Geeta’s preaching of thinking, saying and executing. Values are to be taught and it should be practiced in the right directions. When you practice, then it becomes your nature.

Even now my son Pratheek and daughter-in-law Bhagyashree is also very much concerned about differently abled people. They have started involving them in their work areas. I feel good that, they have been able to follow my foot steps in considering equality and executing it being unbiased. I am 76 now and have been doing business from past 55 years. The Government of India brought law for equal opportunity for differently abled people in 1995, but I started this holistic approach in 1986. Only because of the love and respect for them all, NOT because of law.