Acid Attack Survivors Gave Free Hugs To Delhi Locals To Celebrate Acceptance And Beauty

How beautiful are scars? Each one of them has a different story to tell. And because we have been raised with specific notions of beauty, it makes us almost uncomfortable around someone who doesn’t fit in the niche.

Well, it’s about breaking the barriers.

IIT Delhi student organized a campaign in the heart of Connaught Place, Delhi. They stood with posters written ‘Free Hugs’ on them. Also, with three smiling women who have been acid attack victims.

20-year-old acid attack survivor Ritu Saa accompnied her companion Madhu Kashyap, 35 who hails from Agra. They agreed on joining the students on their endeavor to change the way people think. Mudhu says, “Abhi bhi bahut log badle nahi hue hain.”

 

Students made a collective decision to not promote this on the social media because they wanted to capture people’s first reactions . A lot of people happily came to hug them. Karishma Ghosh, a doctor who hugged the ladies said,

“They are like any other girl in society and should have all those rights and self-confidence to meet people like others.”

 

Some people did not react well, they looked scared and apprehensive. A final year student of IIT Delhi tells Hindustan Times, 

“Some didn’t even wish to cross the path where the victims were present and people roaming with families tried to prevent their children from seeing the victims. Some people were standing and just staring at them”

And that is what needs to change. They are not victims, they are survivors. They are brave and smiling.

 

Students kept counting the number of hugs and the day closed with 690 hugs from Indian and foreign nationals as well. 

Kudos to the team of students who came up with such a brilliant idea. Compassion is what this world needs.

News and Image Source: HindustanTimes