DU students raise money to help acid attack victims

While working closely with acid attack victims, students of Miranda House are assisting them in their rehabilitation besides raising funds for any entrepreneurial activities that the victims may want to engage in.

The project “Jazba” initiated by Enactus Miranda House is trying to help one such survivor, Soniya Chaudhary, open her own salon “Astitva.” The salon will also act as a training centre for other acid attack survivors who would be willing to hone their interests in similar field.

Ms Chaudhary, who was denied a job after her attack, wanted to become a

Project aims to provide rehabilitation or assist in entrepreneurial activities

beautician and open her own salon. So, the team got her a certified training from Shehnaz Hussain Institute.

“People say that our burnt scars make us look ugly and that is the reason they mock us. Enactus MH thus planned to change the definition of beauty in our society, for ‘beauty lies within,’” said Ms Chaudhary.

Initially, the team faced a major challenge in communicating with the survivors as the victims were reluctant to talk because of their scars and fear. However, they gradually overcame it by developing a sense of trust in them. “The idea initially evolved after watching a video wherein a few acid attack survivors were speaking about their helpless condition and how society looks down upon them, marking a setback to their future rehab. We planned to extend our steps and after meeting these survivors in person, we realised that acid has only corroded their skin but can never be enough to corrode their spirit,” said Stuti Agarwalla, a team member.

“Our project aims to give the acid attack survivors a chance at life by inducing them with confidence to rebuild their lives and regain acceptance and dignity from the society,” she added.