Lakshmi Agarwal is an activist who became a victim of an acid attack at the age of 15. Let us take a look at Lakshmi’s struggle to survive and her unwavering outlook towards life after the acid attack.
Biography/Wiki
Lakshmi was born on 1 June 1990 in New Delhi. This strong 28 year old woman is a perfect example for acid attack survivors across the world. In 2005, 15-year-old Lakshmi was attacked by a 32-year-old man, Gudda alias Nahim Khan, and his 2 other friends after she rejected his marriage proposal. Guddu was the elder brother of Lakshmi’s friend.
Lakshmi Agarwal before acid attack
The acid attack left her face, her back and many other parts of her body disfigured. Soon after her recovery, she came out of her home to campaign for ‘Stop Acid Attacks’ and worked as a campaign coordinator and also filed a PIL, citing the increasing number of incidents. Requested a complete ban on the sale of acid. Following the acid attacks on women in 2006, she started her own campaign ‘StopSellAcid’, for which she was honored with several awards and honours.
His work made him the voice of acid attack survivors around the world. She along with other acid attack victims started a hunger strike to seek rehabilitation and immediate legal justice for such victims. In 2013, the Supreme Court regulated a new set of rules governing the sale of acid in India, wherein a person under the age of 18 could not buy acid and the customer must present an identity card before purchasing the acid.
boyfriend, kids and family
Lakshmi was born in a middle class family. His father was a home cook and his mother was a housewife.
Laxmi Agarwal with her mother
In an interview, Lakshmi said that her father was her biggest pillar of strength. His father and his brother died due to prolonged illness. During a campaign he met his love Alok Dixit. The couple decided to live together without getting married, challenging all the taboos of Indian society. They have a daughter, Pihu. However, the couple separated soon after the birth of their daughter.
Lakshmi Aggarwal with her partner Alok and daughter Pihu
livelihood
Lakshmi completed her 10th class from Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya School. After a terrible accident he had to stop his further studies. In 2014, he started hosting Udaan, a television show aired on New Express. Lakshmi, along with her partner Alok, founded an NGO, Chhaanv Foundation. She also became the face of the brand ‘Viva N Diva Campaign’.
Laxmi Agarwal, face of Viva N Diva campaign
In 2014, Lakshmi was awarded the International Women of Courage Award, presented by the First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Lakshmi Agarwal with Michelle Obama
Lakshmi walked the ramp at London Fashion Week in 2016.
Lakshmi Agarwal at London Fashion Week 2016
fact
- Lakshmi wanted to become a singer or dancer since childhood. She also told that on the day ‘Guddu’ attacked her, she was going to attend her first singing class.
- She also told that she was very scared when her daughter was born. He thought that his daughter would get scared after seeing him.
Lakshmi Aggarwal with her daughter Pihu
- In 2018, Lakshmi revealed in an interview that she faces great difficulty in finding a job that can meet the basic needs of her and her daughter’s life. She reveals that she is an experienced beautician but her disfigured face hinders all the job opportunities she gets.
- In 2018, Deepika Padukone was signed to play the role of Lakshmi in her biopic and she also became a producer of the film along with director Meghna Gulzar.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn