Can you imagine the pain of a cut, injection, or any thermal element that repels your skin unknowingly? Well, we just can’t! But what about the agony of those people, who have gone through ACID ATTACK?
Acid Attack Survivors, who faced a lot of struggles, pain, and unwanted questions of everyone without being at fault. They were attacked by some of the sick minds out of no reason, remained in horrible situations for a longer time and even going with it till date.
When we made our visit to Sheroes Hangout Cafe and met Ritu, Shabnam, and Bala, we got a feel of real she heroes, who not only signify themselves but all the woman that came up with a fire in their respective zones.
Having a meeting with them while sitting in a comfort zone of Sheroes Hangout Cafe and knowing their story of life with the initiation of place. We got to know that their concept is not about making any profit or gaining sympathy. All they want is to raise awareness amongst the people to “Stop Acid Attack”.
And, most importantly, their campaign #STOPACIDATTACKS, which initiated on the 8th March is all about this objective to give strength and new hope to lead an independent life to those girls who survived an acid attack.
Words of Ritu
An acid attack survivor from Rohtak (Haryana), who is now heading in Sheroes Hangout Udaipur, Ritu exclaimed about the concept and how she fought with all the circumstances that are hard even to think off. And, while having a conversation about Sheroes, she said,
“The first Sheroes Café came in 10th Dec 2014 at Lucknow. From their journey got its start, by the acid attack fighters and for the acid attack survivors. This café is not just a hangout place but also an inspirational zone to give them a job or to let them rise in any other field of education, business, or anything they want to pursue. Apart from all, at all the branches of Sheroes Cafe, there is no rate specified in the menu. People can wish to pay whatever they want. And, through all that raised funds, we pay for curative treatments, and other expenses, which a survivor requires the most.
As we have probably noticed in every field, it is a must to develop skills and the survivors who have gone through a lot are not much educated and wealthy as well to pay for their medical cause or any other interests. Whereas, we can’t deny this fact also that requirement of good-looking people is more everywhere.
But, when you are in a condition, where you wake up with a face that is not the same now even after a lot of gut-wrenching surgeries and scars for a lifetime. It’s hard to live by! And, when your attacker is from your family itself, then question shouts in mind why me only?
After all this, it’s somehow hard to have faith, but then we know there are good people as well who are ready to support us in the best possible way they can.”
Remarks by Shabnam
It was hard to believe for us that a man who is a father of three daughters can do this cruel act just out of rejection. He made Shabnam victim of acid attack just to satisfy his ego. But raging out with strongness all the way from Uttar Pradesh, Shabnam fought for herself and is happily married now. When we asked Shabnam about her incident and cafe, in such a polite way, she stated,
“Sheroes Hangout has been established to boosts the self-confidence of the survivors. As when we think of the attack, it still gives us a shiver in our mind and souls, but on the other hand, all we pray is it should not happen with any other woman. And, criminals should realise before doing this act that it’s not just spoiling the life of survivor but it is creating a black mark on their family as well.
We are here just to change thoughts and perceptions of people. Those, who are the victim, should fight for it because lawyers, police officials, or any other higher authorised people do not let family’s file cases and justice is not given so far. Even we were betrayed and dragged towards a sense of negativity after facing it all. But, losing hope and killing your soul is not an option.”
Bold Thoughts of Bala
Just to take revenge from her family, an aged zamindar from her village threw acid on Bala and her grandfather who died of the attack. She belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Bijnor, and while sharing her words with simplicity and boldness she uttered us that,
“Just to satisfy their proud and ego these persons do such things. And, people especially police are aware of the pain of a victim, but being in their contact just for a handsome amount of rupees they don’t support victims properly. Whatever happens, cases gets even more complicated with time and justice is not done, as it is supposed to be, because a criminal is set free on the power of money.
With all these situations, it’s hard to gain faith back. Also, we cannot judge people because trust factor remains a question. We don’t want consolation, nor we want money. All we need is every individual should understand that just to satisfy an evil thought of mind, you have no right to bid on someone’s life.”
On the endnote, we just want to raise this thing and ask everyone. Whose fault it is that these attacks are still happening? Why women are not safe? Why sometimes a family member becomes a curse to them? Do you have an answer?
Apparently, no one has!! But justification clears only one thing, that maybe our Law, Police, Society, and Principles have lost terms of dignity that we can’t protect and create the world for the other half of our community.
Hope never dies, but fighting with courage against all these acts can only get enlightened when we keep ourselves in their place.
Take Pledge Towards Something Better.
#STOPACIDATTACKS #STOPCRIME
To know more about them, visit Sheroes Hangout Cafe at Arvana Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, Hathipole Chauraha, Udaipur, Rajasthan-313001. Or, you can also get their details by scrolling through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StopAcidAttacks/.
