Acid-attack survivors walk the ramp

Five acid-attack survivors walked the ramp as show-stoppers donning outfits of ace fashion designer Agnimitra Paul at an event here, with a galaxy of dignitaries from different walks of life cheering them.

State Women and Child Development and Social Welfare (Independent Charge) minister Sashi Panja, who was present on the occasion on Saturday, commended the efforts put in by the girls to make this turnaround possible.

"They are not acid attack victims, they are survivors," she said.

To a question, Panja said, the government has always stood by women, who have been subjected to attacks and torture by providing them emergency treatment at state hospitals.

"We are also ready to help them in getting legal assistance if they approach the state government," she said.

Coming back to the event, Panja said, "What I liked the most is their confidence, none of them are embarrassed of the scars. Infact they are the most beautiful women as their beauty comes from within."
"If we consider what they had gone through, the battle they had waged after such brutal physical attacks on them, these five women will eclipse any celebrity from the world of glamour or sports."
"But her daughter, for whom she had faced the brunt of the savage attack, died two years ago. I told the woman not to let the smile on her face go away and face the world and adversities with her head held high."