Acid attacks are really horrifying. Even imagining on how much painful would it be, really makes me uneasy. To all those acid attack survivors out there, I salute you guys. The word “ACID ATTACK” is a vicious word in itself. The life of people after suffering acid attack gets miserable. Acid attack ruins a person’s career. Acid attackers are mostly those people who cannot face rejections. The acid attacks are grown globally a lot these days. Whenever I go through the news, I get to hear new crimes daily. Most of the victims are women. People still don’t understand that women are also a human being. She has absolute right to reject. She has a right to life and a right to love. No one can compel anyone to love. She has to be respected. And to all those acid attack victims, I heartily respect you. You guys are my motivation to become strong, to fight against wrong, and to not give up.
Storytelling part 6 is about a person who is a real life hero and an inspiration to many people. She is definitely my role model; she has proved that physical features really don’t matter. Inner beauty and hardwork is what matters. I really don’t have words to describe her; she is such a strong and lively woman who is full of dreams and passion. So, she is none other than Laxmi Agrawal. She is now an independent woman, a great mother and she helps acid attacks survivors to find jobs.
I did a lot of research on Laxmi agrawal. I have listened to her story from different sources 5-6 times and everytime I hear it, I get emotional as the first time I listened to her story. Let me tell you about her story in brief.
Laxmi agarwal was a girl of age 16. And there was this man of age 32 who always used to propose laxmi for marriage. When she rejected, the man and her sister together, threw acid on her face. This is all about the story. In these 2 seconds, her life destroyed. On the streets when she was screaming for help, nobody came; everybody was enjoying the scene and were waiting for her to die. But there was one good man to rescued her and took her to the hospital. Her life became miserable after the incident. She was rejected in jobs; the world taunted her and her family. People questioned on her upbringing. She was so much traumatized. Laxmi has gone through 7 surgeries in the course of seven years which cost her 20 lakh. But she had her parent’s support due to which she re gained confidence and stood up against acid attacks.
It is not easy living with scars and pain; there are many people who complain scars, even a little scar. And there are fierce people like laxmi who are courageous and who thrive towards a better life. In a speech, Laxmi shared that her face was melting and when she hugged her father, her burnt skin literally burnt her father’s shirt. Imagining it for me is a pain, she has lived with it, how brave is she. This is a reason why her story and she herself empowers me to achieve my goals no matter what happens.
She shared that she contemplated suicide, but she lived for her parents. She gained confidence, started living with her face, and she even took the case to the court. The trial went four years and then guddu (attacker) was sentenced 10 years of jail and rakhi (his sister) was imprisoned 7 years of jail. Laxmi’s parents gave her confidence to move ahead with life and to live with the face.
At that time, if she had given up, we would never get our inspiration. Laxmi, Thank you for living and motivating us. Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for becoming fearless and enlightening us to go for our passion. Watching Laxmi’s videos where she talks about pushing the pains and moving a step ahead, has really influenced me. Presently, she runs a café along with all the acid attack survivors named, “Sheroes hangout” which serves coffee where visitors share personal stories.
The movie “Chhapak” is based on Laxmi’s real life story which is portrayed very beautifully. It shows a life of a 16 year old facing horrible acid attack. And the movie sublimely shows how she fought against acid attacks, claimed justice and didn’t give up on life.
Why is Laxmi Agrawal a great inspiration?
She inspires us to become fearless and to look at the differently. You don’t have to look the world through a single lens as people often do. Change your perspective. Laxmi showed the world that inner beauty is what matters the most.
Laxmi overcome her greatest fears and she stood up for all the victims of the world. Her story is truly amazing and it inspires every child to conquer fear.
She achieved her passion. Despite every taunt she faced, she is living morally and helps people to enlighten. Looking the life through open mind is what she taught.
Today Laxmi has completed her diploma with the support of parents and teachers. Laxmi had started acid attack campaigns in 2013 and became part of Chhanv Foundation in 2014. Laxmi also helps to treat victims and provide aid treatments to the victim.
Isn’t she an amazing person? I think you guys definitely got inspired by her fierceness. So, I have to definitely will meet her one day and thank her for inspiring me. New things got added to my bucket list. Not everyone has courage to face insult and taunt. She taught us that if we look at the world differently, things won’t affect us. She is an amazing and beautiful women because of her extraordinary courage to life the life and to support other victims. “An acid attack doesn’t mean the end of your dreams.”
Thank you for your interest in Storytelling part 6. Who is your hero? Do comment below.
Have a wonderful day!!