SC questions Centre, states on rising acid attacks; Victims continue to fight for survival
New Delhi: Taking a firm stand for the plight of acid attack victims, the Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre and state governments asking reason for the pathetic condition of such victims
2) Shirin
After being invited for the World Burn Conference in 2001, Shirin decided to fight back her depression and be proud of what she is. A resident of Mumbai's Mazgaon area, Shirin was attacked by her own husband in 1998.
Attacked on a staircase, Shirin could not recognize her attacker at the time of the attack as he had covered himself. The masked man poured acid on Shirin and fled the place.
It was later revealed during the investigation that the attacker was Shirin's husband.
After the attack, her face was completely disfigured. She had lost the zeal to live. After undergoing 16 surgeries, Shirin realized that plastic surgeries would not get back her beautiful face. Therefore, after sometime, Shirin gave up and stopped all treatment for her disfigured face.
Depressed, she stayed home for one year. But after a certain period, she gathered herself and decided to raise her voice against the acid attacks. She joined an NGO and extended support to the victims who were going through the same pain.
3) Sonali
Sonali, who became a contestant in the famous television game show `Kaun Banega Crorepati', became an epitome of courage.
A brilliant student of Sociology, the 17-year old Sonali saw her life turning up side down when a jilted lover threw acid on her while she was asleep inside her house.
The attack not only burnt her face but also affected her eyesight and hearing abilities.
Sonali went under the knife 22 times yet did not lose hope in life. She stood for her rights and put up a brave fight to get her attacker behind the bars.
Hailing from a not so financially sound background, Sonali participated in `Kaun Banega Crorepati' and won Rs. 25 lakhs which she planned to use for her treatment.