Ramesh was affected by leprosy when he was 11 years old. He later lost both his parents as a teenager. Negligence and ignorance made his condition worse by the time he reached the 9th standard. He was brought to Sumanahalli in 1989, underwent treatment for a year, and was cured. He worked in a petrol station for some months, during which time he finished his SSLC and obtained admission to do his PUC (Pre-University Course). He then obtained a job at NIMHANS as an attender in 1991, under the disability quota. His superiors at the Radiology Dept. there found Ramesh to be very efficient and honest. He was awarded the Most Efficient Handicapped Employee on World Disabled Day in 1993 in recognition of his work.