She was just 15 years old when she met with this dreaded acid attack in 2005. A 32-year-old man, whose advances she refused and opposed, did this horrific acid attack on her. But Laxmi survived.
Her courage and will to live life is definitely worth appreciating. Laxmi took up the challenge to live with a cause and gathered about 27,000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales in the market and took this petition to the Indian Supreme Court. Her petition led the Supreme Court to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue. Laxmi now runs an NGO, Chhanv Foundation, where Laxmi is the director and it is dedicated to helping the survivors of acid attacks in India.
Laxmi also received International Women of Courage award in 2014 by US First Lady Michelle Obama. She was also chosen as the NDTV Indian of the Year.
In 2014, she fell in love with her fellow activist Alok Dixit. They got married later, and today she is a proud mother. Pihu, her daughter, is the new hope in her life.
A new campaign ‘Face of Courage’ by Fashion Brand Viva N Diva has now Laxmi as their spokesperson making her the first-ever acid attack victim to serve as an ambassador of a fashion brand.
Kudos to Viva N Diva for this courageous and supportive step which will inspire many others not give up on life.