Amazon’s ‘I Have Space’ Program is supporting Telangana’s small store and business owners

As Amazon scales and expands its delivery network across Telangana this festive season, it will continue to enable individuals to unlock their entrepreneurial potential, and will create opportunities to expand their horizons through various last-mile delivery programs, including ‘I Have Space’ (IHS). Through the program, Amazon India partners with local stores and business owners to deliver products to customers within a 2 to 4 kilometers radius of their store, allowing them to supplement their regular income. Launched in 2015, the program has more than 28,000 neighborhood and kirana partners in close to 420 towns and cities across its network in India, including thousands of ‘I Have Space’ (IHS) stores in Telangana. 

Bhagya Raju, a 35-year-old ‘I Have Space’ (IHS) partner from Hyderabad, is a story of inspiration. Despite his physical challenges from birth which limit his movement due to limping he wanted to be financially independent and support his family. He is not only delivering smiles to Amazon customers, but he is also shaping the future of children as a teacher at his Eshwar Tuition Point.

Bhagya Raju started his tuition centre in 2016, and while he had a regular set of students attending his classes, the earnings were not enough to meet his expenses. The pandemic made it even more difficult for Bhagya as footfall of students started declining. It was then he decided to look out for an additional source of income and came across Amazon’s ‘I Have Space’ program through a neighbor and started as an ‘I Have Space’ Partner in Sep 2021. 

“Becoming an Amazon I Have Space partner has been very empowering for me. With the additional income from the IHS program, I have not only overcome my financial challenges but have also purchased my dream bike, which I use to deliver packages to Amazon customers. I am very excited for this year’s festive season as things are back to normal. By delivering packages to customers, I indirectly became part of their festivities and joy. My physical limitations, which have been with me since my birth, have never stopped me from dreaming big. It in fact motivates me to achieve more in life,” says Bhagya. 

Bhagya’s story is an inspiration for everyone who lose hope in life due to certain physical limitations, and often find it challenging to start something of their own because of financial reasons or lack of prior experience.

Karuna Shankar Pande, Director – Last Mile Operations, Amazon India says, “Amazon India is committed towards building a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) workforce and is empowering individuals from various walks of life. It is inspiring to see how Bhagya Raju has turned his life around with the support of the I Have Space program. He is a great example and a role model for others who does not believe in giving up in life.”

Bhagya is one of the many persons with disability (PwD) across Amazon India’s operations network. Through its different onboarding and training programs, Amazon India is committed to helping PwD associates and partners realize their true potential and empower them to achieve their goals. 

Aspiring ‘I Have Space’ Partners can apply here –http://www.amazon.in/i