Building India’s Canva: The Inspirational Journey of Dadasaheb Bhagat
In the dry heartland of Maharashtra’s Beed district, where drought is more frequent than rainfall, dreams rarely grow easily. For Dadasaheb Bhagat, however, even the harshest soil couldn’t stop his determination from taking root. Coming from a humble family where education wasn’t a priority, Bhagat completed only his 10th standard before enrolling in a basic ITI course, preparing him for blue-collar jobs. His early life offered little comfort: no exposure to technology, limited resources, and an uncertain future. Yet, from this simplicity emerged a powerful story of self-belief and innovation.From an Office Boy to a Learner with a VisionLike many young men from rural India, Dadasaheb moved to Pune in search of a livelihood. His first job paid just Rs 4,000 a month—a modest income that barely covered rent and food. Later, an opening as an office boy at Infosys came his way, offering Rs 9,000. For him, this was a big step forward, though the work involved long hours of cleaning and running errands. But what truly changed his life wasn’t the salary; it was the exposure. Working inside an Infosys guesthouse, Bhagat often watched employees typing away on computers, earning good money while using their creativity and intellect. “That’s when it hit me—people were using their minds to grow, not just their hands,” he once said in an interview. Curiosity sparked determination. He began asking how he could get a job like theirs. Most people doubted him because of his limited education, but someone advised him to explore graphic design and animation, where creativity mattered more than degrees. This simple suggestion became the turning point in his life.Discovering Art and a PurposeArt had always been part of Bhagat’s life. As a child in a boarding school, he used to watch a local artist paint murals on temple walls. Without realizing it then, he was developing an eye for design and color. When he heard about graphic design, it felt like rediscovering an old love in a new form. He started studying design during the day while continuing his night shifts at Infosys. Sleep was rare, but his passion was boundless. Within a year, he learned enough to work as a freelance designer. For the first time, he began earning money through his creativity, not labor. Soon, Bhagat decided not to limit himself to freelance work. He wanted to build something of his own—a product that could make design easier and more accessible for everyone in India.Building ‘Design Template’: India’s Answer to CanvaBhagat launched his design startup, Design Template, with a small team. His vision was clear: to create a platform that offered design resources and templates tailored for Indian users, much like Canva does globally. But success didn’t come easily. When the pandemic struck, he was forced to shut down his office in Pune. With no other option, he returned to his village in Beed. There, electricity and internet were unreliable, but instead of giving up, he turned challenges into opportunities. He and his team moved to a hill near a cowshed, where they set up a makeshift workspace powered by creativity and determination. From that humble hillside, Design Template began to take shape. Bhagat even started training local children in design, helping them learn skills that could change their future. His journey from a village boy to a digital entrepreneur soon attracted attention and admiration.Recognition and National SpotlightBhagat’s inspiring journey quickly spread across India. His company, Design Template, began gaining recognition for providing affordable, India-focused design tools, reducing reliance on foreign software. His story was covered by leading media outlets, and his efforts caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised him as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative—a proud moment for a man who once earned Rs 4,000 a month. His journey reached another milestone when he appeared on Shark Tank India, where he pitched his company and secured a Rs 1 crore investment from Aman Gupta, the founder and CMO of boAt, in exchange for 10% equity. It was a moment that symbolized how far he had come from running errands in an office to running his own tech company.A True ‘Make in India’ DreamToday, Design Template stands as a growing Indian tech company offering tools that rival international design platforms. It’s more than just software; it’s a symbol of what can happen when determination meets innovation. From a drought-hit village to a national stage, from a cowshed to Shark Tank India, Dadasaheb Bhagat’s story is a living reminder that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected places. His journey redefines the meaning of “self-made,” not just in business, but in life itself.
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