Visually impaired Viona Pereira defies job bias, thrives as entrepreneur

MARCOS GONSALVES

marcos@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Tired of applying for government jobs—despite reservation quotas and amid demands for substantial bribes—24-year-old Viona Pereira, a courageous visually impaired woman from Kurpavaddo-Cortalim, has proven she can forge her own path.

Rather than letting barriers define her, Viona, who is 75 per cent visually impaired, has embraced self-employment and carved out a successful niche, often travelling to Mumbai – accompanied by friends who also face physical challenges – to source merchandise to sell in Goa. Their teamwork exemplifies resilience, independence, and a shared commitment to entrepreneurship.

For several years, Viona has become a familiar figure at local feast fairs and zatras, setting an inspiring example for other self-employed individuals. Her perseverance amid obstacles demonstrates that determination and resilience can lead to success.

Viona, along with her friends Tyron and Gajanand, highlights a crucial issue: the government’s shortcomings in addressing the needs of visually impaired and physically disabled individuals. Their experiences underscore the necessity for better support systems and inclusive opportunities.

Now preparing to set up a stall at the Nuvem feast fair, Viona plans to sell incense sticks, bed sheets, and towels. She travels by train to Mumbai to buy stock.

In an interview with O Heraldo, Viona shared her demotivating experiences with government job applications, including roles in the Agricultural Department under the disabled reservation quota. Despite her efforts, she faced insurmountable barriers.

“I couldn’t get the job because I couldn’t afford the huge amount of money demanded for a government job,” she explained.

Frustrated, she turned to self-employment. “I started making agarbattis and other items,” she said, later expanding her business by sourcing products in Mumbai. Her entrepreneurial journey began even earlier; for some time, she sold samosas on trains while travelling to Vailankanni.

Viona shared that her visual impairment is hereditary, but she remains determined to succeed. Alongside friends Gajanand Velip and Tyron Monteiro, her classmates from Lokvishwas Pratishthan in Ponda, she has built a strong support network.

Beyond business, the trio are avid football players, representing the Blind Soccer Team of Goa—a testament to their resilience both on and off the field.