Success stories of acid attack survivors

SUCCESS STORIES: THE SURVIVORS - ACID ATTACK

In the previous posts, we have talked about one of the survivor named Laxmi Agarwal. Many of us have known her because of the movie Chhapaak. I am also one of those who came to know about the seriousness of these acts by the movie. But I didn't want anyone of us to be limited to the only success story of Laxmi Agarwal. There are many other of the warriors in between us who have fought this breakdown and injury and have succeeded in their life.

Here are some of the success stories from our brave survivors:

1) Anmol Rodriguez:  Burnt as a baby, this acid attack survivor is now a fashion model

Anmol was just two months old when her father threw acid at her mother, who died from the burns. Baby Anmol, who was on her lap, was left with a disfigured face, permanent scars and nowhere to go.

                          


Anmol was raised in an orphanage that added to the difficulties of socializing and making friends. She even had to quit her job because of the discrimination she faced. Today, she is also a fashion icon. She has modeled for several Instagram and YouTube channels and is currently the face of an online brand’s newly launched nightwears. Rodriguez said that acid can only change our face but not ruin our soul. “We are the same inside out and we should accept ourselves for who we are and live our lives happily,” said she.

2) Daulat Bi Khan:  How acid attack survivor Daulat Bi Khan rose from the ashes to help other women like her live with dignity

26-year old make-up artist Daulat was attacked by her own elder sister, her husband, and son in retaliation to some property issues. After she recovered, she started looking for a job but had no success. Daulat co-founded the NGO Acid Attack Survivor Saahas Foundation in Mumbai providing counseling, education and employment opportunities to other survivors. The NGO has till now empowered as many as 26 acid attack survivors.

Nine years ago, when Daulat, a 26-year-old makeup artist, was sitting on a sofa, her family members threw acid on her face. Daulat’s mother was living with her sister and brother-in-law in Mumbai. The couple was not treating her well, and when Daulat questioned their actions, they retaliated by hurling acid on her face and disfiguring it. Despite the traumatic incident and all the consequences that followed, Daulat stood strong. And, not only did she stand strong, she decided to help other survivors of acid attacks deal with their circumstances as well.

3) Reshma Qureshi:

Reshma was 17 when she was attacked with acid. In May 2014 she was at the railway station in her hometown, Mau Aimain, returning from Allahabad after writing her 10th board exam and a group of four men that included her sister’s husband hurled acid on her face and disfigured it permanently. Reportedly, her brother-in-law mistook her for her sister. Reshma fought with depression for a long time after the attack.

                                   

Make your heart beautiful. Beauty is not just about how you look. – Reshma Qureshi

Reshma made her modeling debut in the online campaign #EndAcidSale which was a big hit. She has also appeared in YouTube videos to condemn the rampant selling of acids in markets of India, spread the need for strict sale regulation on acids. She grabbed media attention across the globe in 2016 when she walked the ramp at New York Fashion Week. Reshma is a vlogger too and has recently written a book titled Being Reshma describing her journey out of the depression. She said in an interview, “Make your heart beautiful. Beauty is not just about how you look.”

4) Dolly:

The acid eats flesh – acid attacks can blind and leave a person unrecognizable. In India, it’s estimated that there are 1,000 such attacks every year, maybe even more. In Agra, a group of strong women, all survivors of acid attacks, have come together to run a cafe and tell their stories. One among them is 15-year-old Dolly, a smiling young waitress who works at Sheroes cafe in Agra.

Dolly was 12 and in class four when she was attacked by a 25-year-old man named Pradeep who stalked her and passed lewd comments at her. The attack has damaged her facial tissues and nostrils and even today she finds it difficult to breathe. After restricting herself to her house for about a year, Dolly joined Sheroes café in Agra and began working with other acid attack survivors. Reportedly, she has also resumed her education. The accused was imprisoned in 2016. In a brave move, Dolly wrote a letter to him saying, “You burned my face, but not my will to live. You cannot throw acid on that. I will fight this, not only for myself but for other girls, so they do not lose their courage before people like you.”

There are many more stories like as those described above, search them, I guarantee you will feel proud of them.

The best thing you can see in the above post and the story that how beautiful these girls are, the smile on their faces, the courage, the confidence; which is not easily found in us. 

To live in world and earn respect, the first thing we need is a confidence to stand on our own feet and that's what these girls did. They have already won the fight against the world and winning the rewards as respect from people all over the world. 

SALUTE TO THESE WARRIORS!