CHENNAI: ‘I am not what happened to me. I am a story with a happy ending’ — these words are acid survivor Pragya’s message to the world.
In 2014 there were 104 cases of acid attack in six months compared to 122 in the whole of 2013. With the rising number of acid attack victims and 12 per cent of them in South India, the Acid Survivors Foundation India (ASFI) launched its south India chapter with its campaign ‘War Against Terror Caused Due to Acid Attack.’ A trauma care kit was also launched at the event where workers in the field came together to discuss rehabilitation for the survivors.
‘How do they face the world when they have no face?’ asked Dr Nirmala Subramanian from Shankar Nethrayala who has been working on reconstructing deformities of acid attack victims for several years. “Social work organisations should come together to support and encourage the victims and give them confidence,” she said.
Pragya Singh who underwent an attack recounted her journey and the decision to brace herself for survival. “I no longer fight for beauty products, I fight to look normal. My defining moment was when I decided to take control of my life.”
Urging people not to call her a ‘braveheart’ because of someone else’s heartlessness she said, “ I don’t need sympathy, I need support.”
ASFI has identified over 500 acid attack survivors in the country and provides care and support, community programmes and legal assistance to victims. ‘We endeavour to promote an enlightened attitude towards human rights, gender equality and awakening, “ said H P Kanoria, chairman. They will be setting up a psychosocial burn-cum-rehabilitation centre in collaboration with NGOs for free and subsidised treatment. Their helpline number is +919007612727.