From ashes we rise…
Reshma Qureshi is an acid attack survivor who is anti-acid sale activist, vlogger and Indian model.
Reshma recalled in one interview [1] the fateful incident that happened on May 19, 2014. One day while visiting her hometown Mau Aima (UP) 17-year-old Reshma had forgotten her Burqa back in her home in Mumbai, so she borrowed one from her sister. Reshma with her sister was heading to her college to write an exam when her estranged brother-in-law mistook Reshma for her sister, assaulted and threw acid on her.
The acid attack didn’t just leave physical scars but also emotional scars too. Reshma had lost a vision in left eye, her father had been running around to arrange money for multiple surgery and they even had to sell some of their property [2]. Her face too was badly injured so her family did not allow her to see her face in the mirror, the mirrors in hospital covered.
When Reshma came to her home for the first time from hospital, she went to kitchen to wash her face and saw her face for the first time. She tried to hang herself that very night [1]. Her brother woke up when he realized Reshma was shuffling around at night. Since the family lived in 1 bedroom apartment in chawl and everyone slept in one room, when her brother turned on the lights, he saw Reshma standing on bed with dupatta trying reach for fan to kill herself. He screams and to wake up the family. Reshma’s family tried to calm her through love and compassion and encouraged her to seek therapist. Her During this depressive period Reshma attempted suicide trice [3].
The thought of seeing justice once day kept Reshma going and living. With family support and therapy, she was able to redefine and reinvent herself. Reshma became global voice for anti-acid attacks. She works with NGO Make love not scars to help acid attack survivors overcome depression, she is also face of Make love not scars campaign in India for which she shared beauty tips along with insights on issues of acid attacks as of September 2015, The New York Times reported that her videos have garnered over 900,000 views [4]. She has also been featured on several fashion ramp including New York Fashion Week ramp and is also face of Make love not scars.
Reshma continues to rise like phoenix. Her spirit continues to inspire many as a proof that despite all odds it is possible to overcome. Even when at some point life has not been fair, be it situation or the negative people who may intend to destroy you, they cannot take away you from yourself. Seek help if required, seek support if you need, but whatever it be don’t give up yet you still have the power to overcome the vices.
