Laxmi Agarwal is an activist who was a victim of an acid attack at the age of 15. Let’s get an insight into Lakshmi’s struggle to survive after an acid attack and her unbreakable attitude towards life.
Biography/Wiki
Laxmi was born on June 1, 1990 in New Delhi. The 28-year-old strongwoman is a role model for acid attack survivors around the world. In 2005, 15-year-old Lakshmi was attacked by a 32-year-old man Gowda (also known as Naseem Khan) and two other friends after she rejected his marriage proposal. Guddu is the elder brother of Lakshmi’s friend.
Lakshmi Agarwal before acid attack
The acid attack left her face, back and many other parts of her body deformed. Soon after her recovery, she stepped out of her house to participate in the Stop Acid Attacks campaign and worked as event coordinator and filed a PIL in which she sought a complete ban on the sale of acid citing the increasing number of incidents. In 2006, she initiated a campaign against Acid attacks on women. After some time, she launched her own campaign “StopSaleAcid” for which she received many awards and honors.
Her work has made her a spokesperson for all acid attack survivors around the world. Along with other acid attack victims, she started a hunger strike in the hope that these survivors would recover and receive immediate legal justice. In 2013, the Supreme Court laid down a new set of rules for the sale of acid in India, stating that people under the age of 18 could not buy acid and that customers should show their identity cards before buying acid.
Boyfriends, kids and family
Lakshmi was born into a middle-class family. Her father was a home cook and her mother was a housewife.
Lakshmi Agarwal and her mother
Lakshmi said in an interview that her father is her biggest pillar of strength. Her father and brother died after long illness. She met her love Alok Dixit during an election campaign. The couple defied all the taboos of Indian society by deciding to live together without getting married. They have a daughter, Pihu. However, the couple broke up shortly after their daughter was born.
Laxmi Agarwal with her partner Alok and daughter Pihu
Profession
Laxmi completed her studies in Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya School with 10th rank. After this horrific accident, she had to stop continuing her studies. In 2014, she started hosting the TV show “Udaan”, which was broadcast on New Express. Laxmi co-founded an NGO, Chhanv Foundation, with her partner Alok. She also became the face of the brand “Viva n Diva Campaign”.
Laxmi Agarwal, spokesperson for Viva n Diva campaign
In 2014, Lakshmi received the International Women of Courage Award from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Lakshmi Agarwal and Michelle Obama
Laxmi hit the ramp at London Fashion Week 2016.
Laxmi Agarwal at London Fashion Week 2016
fact
- Lakshmi has wanted to be a singer or a dancer since she was a child. She also told me that she was going to take her first singing lesson and that day she was attacked by “Guddu”.
- She also revealed that she was very scared when her daughter was born. She thought her daughter would be scared when she saw her.
Laxmi Agarwal and her daughter Pihu
- In 2018, Lakshmi revealed in an interview that it was difficult for her to find a job that could meet the basic needs of her and her daughter. She revealed that she was an experienced beautician but her disfigured face prevented her from getting any job opportunities.
- In 2018, Deepika Padukone signed on to play the role of Laxmi in her biopic and worked with director Meghna Gulzar as the film’s co-director Producer.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education