We are the World Blogfest (#WATWB) focuses on positive stories no matter where they’re found. It is all about spreading peace and humanity on social media.
For today’s post, I would like to draw your attention to a cause that has been close to my heart, the campaign against acid violence. I’ve been in touch with most of the survivors at Stop Acid Attacks–here’s a feature on Ritu Saini, and Chhapak, the Bollywood movie that hit the screens early this year.
“Later, it emerged that my cousin who had a crush on me had hired the attackers, paying Rs 1.25 lakh to them,” said Saini, adding that when she regained consciousness days later in the hospital, faces of her family said it all.
Her cousin was sentenced to life imprisonment and two others for ten years in in prison but later, one of the guilty was released after five years.
“I had received 45% burns on my body and 90% on my face, besides losing my right eye. The acid affected the sight in my left eye as well,” said said.
She tried to play Volleyball again after the attack but her depleted vision forced her to hang her sporting boots early.
The survivor-turned-activist rues the fact that even after so much has been written in the media against acid attacks, these inhumane attacks on women continue unabated and no data is available on the exact number of such attacks.
However, she seemed satisfied with the fact that women are taking rapid strides in every field in her home state of Haryana, where once girls were not even allowed to born.
Due to Covid 19, the survivors have suffered along with the general population. Chhanv foundation, which runs the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, has also been hit hard because of the closure of the restaurants the survivors used to run.
They are running a successful fundraising campaign, and this is where you come in: chip in a little, no amount is too small. In fact, the idea is for many people to come together to raise the entire amount. A few rupees, dollars or pounds will go a long way, as experience has shown. With a few days to go, they’ve nearly reached their target–you can help them hit it, and support acid attack survivors during this difficult time as they learn new skills to become independent and support themselves.
Here’s what the Stop Acid Attacks Sheroes campaign is all about: CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THEM
What about you? What uplifting stories of humanity in action have you witnessed lately? Would you like to help the acid attack survivors by chipping in a small amount and encouraging others to do the same?
Would you like to post details of how people can donate in various parts of the world to help those who need it the most?
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This post was the latest installment of the monthly We Are the World Blogfest: I’d like to invite you to join, if you haven’t as yet, to post the last Friday of each month a snippet of positive news that shows our essential, beautiful humanity.
This month’s co-hosts, Shilpa Garg, Lizbeth Hartz, Peter Nena, Roshan Radhakrishnan, Sylvia Stein welcome participants and encourage all to join in.
Here’s a sampler of this blogfest. :post your link on the thread if you're participating.
Click here to know more. Sign up here and add your bit of cheer to the world on the next installment.
My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is making its way into the world.
It is available in India here.
Worldwide, here.
All proceeds go to Stop Acid Attacks, and Project WHY.
Reviews are appreciated–please get in touch if you’d like a review copy.
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What did those beasts gain by ruining an innocent’s life? Actually nothing, considering these brave girls are living with their heads held high despite everything that went wrong for them.
Will this brutality ever stop?
I have been going through their stories on instagram too. Always ready to support this brave group of women
They absolutely deserve all our support!
You are amazing and undaunted in working hard for the causes close to your heart Damyanti- I so admire you for it. The covid times have been hard on almost everyone around me and its awesome to see people still chipping in for good causes with whatever little they can spare.
I truly appreciate the courage of these girls to face the world again and with such confidence. I always believe that there’s more good than bad in the world and this can be seen here.
I cannot understand why the need to attack with acid! Only an absolutely deranged mind would find that acceptable. Thank you for sharing this post, Damyanti.
I saw the movie and have followed stories of acid attack survivors. Gut wrenching!
I will never understand why human beings are so cruel to each other.
Hi Damyanti – the comment failed too, as did my attempt at trying to chip in … I’ll be back later. It is just so sad that people feel they need to hurt others … especially when it’s for life – I congratulate these ladies for having the sense to do something for themselves – giving them a reason to help others. Thanks for reminding us bout these acid-attack survivors … they’re strong-willed ladies. All the best – Hilary
Thanks so much both for the comment and for trying to help. You’re always a kindness and support. The Sheroes are doing their best to stand on their own feet, all they need is a little assistance in living with dignity.
This was horrible when I read the fictionalized version in your book, Damyanti, and it’s horrible reading the real facts. I still cannot believe (or stomach) such wanton cruelty to a human being. So many things in our world need changing. Thanks for doing your part to help. xoxo
Humanity is a spectrum, and cruelty to other human and non-humans is a tragic but undeniable part of it. At one end are those who perpetrate these horrific crimes, and at the other are those who support the survivors. Thanks for reading the book, and for doing your part in the positive cycle of humanity.
Shared. Don’t understand the cruelty – perhaps it should be illegal to buy the types of chemicals used in these attacks.
Thanks for the share. It is illegal to buy these chemicals without certain permits, but the implementation of the law is not very strong.
Finished You Beneath you Skin, Damyanti and left you a 5 star review. A haunting read, a worthy cause.
Oh Mary. Thanks so much. That’s really kind of you–each review shines a spotlight on the cause and takes the book to new readers.
How I wish that they didn’t need our support, and long for the day when they don’t. In the interim they do, and have mine.
They wish to be independent as well–the Sheores at Stop Acid Attacks were earning their keep as servers. With the closure of restaurants, they’re learning new skills and need interim assistance. Thanks for chipping in, Sue.
A most wonderful cause, and still horrendous that this is still happening. 🙁 x
Yes, absolutely horrific that it is still happening.