“I had only two options – either sit and accept disability and depend on my parents for life or go out into the world and see what life has in store for me,” recalls Shaheen Malik, who not only survived the acid attack but also emerged as a beacon of hope. for countless other victims. The 39-year-old runs a shelter, Apna Ghar, for acid attack survivors, and her journey is a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Shaheen Malik, founder of the Brave Souls Foundation and its Apna Ghar shelter. (Shaheen Malik)
In 2009, Malik’s life took a devastating turn when she became the victim of an acid attack that left her with third-degree burns on 90 percent of her face and body.
“I was doing my MBA in 2009. I was 26 years old, in my third semester and working as a student counselor at Punjab Technical University. One day, as I was leaving the office, I saw someone on the road with a handkerchief tied around his face. I thought he covered his face because of the pollution. I went and stood next to him, intending to cross the road together,” Malik told Hindustan Times.
She added: “Suddenly I felt some liquid on my face. Somehow I realized it was acid. I started screaming at the top of my voice. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to scream like that again in my life.”
The attack was planned by four people (her colleagues and students), including one minor. They envied her achievements and felt threatened by her ability. While the minor was convicted in 2015, the court proceedings for the remaining three are still ongoing.
“This will last a lifetime”: Shaheen Malik
The aftermath of the attack was a grueling physical and emotional struggle for Shaheen. “I didn’t even know what an acid attack was. At the time, I thought I would be fine after the surgery,” Malik recalled.
The recovery, however, was much longer and more difficult than she could have imagined. For over 13 years and counting, Malik has undergone numerous surgeries and eye treatments to restore her left eye.
Malik’s quest to change the lives of acid attack survivors
In the midst of her own healing journey, Malik realized that many acid attack survivors were left without adequate support and resources. This made her come forward and restore hope and dignity to the lives of the victims.
After the attack, Malik started her first job in 2013 and has since worked with organizations such as Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), Human Rights Legal Network (HRLN) and Meer Foundation before starting her own NGO.
“I have been working with survivors for the last 10 years. Over time, I realized that survivors don’t get everything in one place. That’s when I decided to start my own NGO,” said Malik.
Establishment of Apna Ghar in Delhi
In 2021, Malik took a bold step and started her own NGO, Brave Souls Foundation. Through the NGO and its shelter, Apna Ghar, Malik has changed the lives of more than 300 acid attack survivors by helping them with surgeries, compensation and more.
The foundation provides comprehensive support from treatment and surgery to psychological therapy, education, vocational training and more.
Acid attack survivors learn to type at Apna Ghar. (HT Photo/Arfa Javaid)
Husna Begum from Assam, one of the acid attack survivors at the shelter, spoke to HT. She was sleeping on a cot with her three-year-old child when she was attacked with acid in 2014. She and her child suffered severe burns. Husna lost an eye due to the attack. “I refused to sleep with an old man in the village and that’s why he poured acid on me and my child,” said Husna.
Reshma Qureshi was only 16 when she was attacked in 2014. Her own brother-in-law threw acid on her face. Like Husna, Qureshi also lost an eye. Her attacker served ten years in prison and was released this year.
Reema Kumari was 19 years old when her paternal uncle threw acid on her face over a land dispute. “I was with my grandmother at home. I went to see the fair. When I returned, my uncle tied my hands and poured acid on my face. He even tried to kill me and cut my finger so that I could not study further,” Kumari told HT.
Deepa Kumari was attacked in 2015. Kumari witnessed a group of boys fighting with each other and was then attacked because she could not help the police identify who she had seen.
Shaheen Malik with acid attack survivors in Apna Ghar. (HT Photo/Arfa Javaid)
“I asked my owner for my salary. He refused to pay me. When the owner went to take the children to school, his driver threw acid on me,” recalled Basanti Devi, who was 45 when she was attacked in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj.
Survivors told HT that surgeries and court cases require a lot of money. Since they cannot afford such a huge amount, they live in Apna Ghar.
Survivors are demanding a ban on the sale of acid
“We face many challenges – financial, emotional and others. There is a lack of sensitization. People do not cooperate with us and perceive us differently,” the survivors told HT.
They added: “The retail sale of acid should be banned. Kerosene was banned because it was used to burn people. So why not acid? Why isn’t there a license or something to buy acid?”
Categories: Trending
Source: newstars.edu.vn