Bhubaneswar: The second edition of Kiah Fashion Show stood out for more than one reason. For the first time, acid attack survivors from all over India came to Orissa, to be part of a fashion show organised by Parichay Foundation. The survivors, each of whom is a source of inspiration for the society, walked the ramp to raise funds for the education of dropout girls from underprivileged families as part of the Alakananda scholarship programme. Eight survivors including Pramodini Roul, who belongs to Orissa, work with Sheroes Café (Agra and Lucknow) which is managed by Delhi-based Chhanv Foundation.
Walking confidently on the ramp, the survivors were delighted to be a part of the noble cause. Eminent personalities from Orissa, also walked the ramp with them, saluting their fighter spirit while also promoting the cause of girl child education. Hindi film actor Tisca Chopra, who was the star attraction, also walked the ramp with the sur
vivors. “I am so happy that Parichay Foundation, its founder Rosalin Patsani Mishra and the entire team has organised a fashion show for a noble objective. I can only salute the courage and fighting spirit of these survivors and hope this show helps Parichay get connected with more well-wishers and donors to support the cause of girl child,” she said. The Alaknanda Scholarship project was launched November 14, 2016 as a flagship project coinciding with the first edition of Kiah Fashion Show, wherein slum girls adopted by Parichay had walked the ramp. While 59 girls who have taken their examinations under phase I and are awaiting results, the foundation has identified 60 other girls from the region for the second phase. “We have completed 10 years now. I still feel it’s just the beginning. I want to thank everyone who has helped make this event a big success, particularly the acid attack survivors. For me, the biggest happiness comes from the fact that drop-out girls hailing from financially weak families are being educated and are able to make a positive difference in their lives,” Rosalin said.
The acid attack survivors said, on the sidelines of the occasion, that a fighting spirit is a necessity to survive the trauma. Rukya from Agra suffered acid attack at the age of 14. Her elder sister’s brother-in-law who claimed that he was in love with her attacked her when she declined to reciprocate. The attack impacts the victim in many ways emotionally and physically. “But what matters is that you have to fight back and live your life with dignity’’, said Rukya who is now married and has a son. Shabnam of Aligarh had also suffered acid attack at the age of 14 due to one-sided love of a person. “Once he found me alone in my house and tried to misbehave with me when I told my mother about this. My mother warned him. Consequently, he attacked me with acid. Motivation in life is very important to survive the trauma,’’ she said. Madhu Kashyap of Agra said people tend to attack you verbally without your fault.
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