You are on page 1of 2

1/21/2016

A diva with a difference - OTHER STATES - The Hindu

TODAY'S PAPER OTHER STATES

Published: January 21, 2016 00:00 IST | Updated: January 21, 2016 05:41 IST
NEW DELHI, January 21, 2016

A diva with a difference


Bindu Shajan Perappadan
Acid attack survivor Laxmi is the face of a womens apparel brand

Acid attack survivor Laxmi is the face of a womens apparel brand. File Photo
Laxmi calls it empowerment of the right kind. And many agree. Today, the acid attack survivor is busy with her latest assignment as the
face of womens apparel at Viva N Diva. The 26-year-old mother was burnt beyond recognition in a terrible acid attack in 2005 when she was
just 16 years old. A man twice her age threw acid on her in a busy market because she rejected his advances.
Her partner Alok, a social activist who works for the welfare of acid attack victims, says he is proud of the latest assignment she has bagged.
It is a one-year contract and goes well with the motto of the work we do for acid attack victims, said Alok, who runs the Stop Acid Attack
Campaign along with Laxmi.
The idea is to tell the world that acid attack victims and their lives go beyond the attack, and that is what this advertisement stint is all about.
This is me and I am beautiful, added Laxmi.
Manan Shah and Rupesh Jhawar, the duo behind the initiative, said: This was our very first attempt at making a difference. As young
entrepreneurs, we have always believed that the only way to rise above is to fight and earn the respect we deserve. We do not believe in
charity, but believe in providing a platform for everyone and anyone who deserves and can fight to earn it. And she [Laxmi] fought and won.
We are not looking for recognition but awareness. We want people to change their outlook towards fashion and create acceptance.
A statement released by the company noted: A few months back, we sat in our offices and looked at images of a calendar shoot. The
photographer had captured the essence of a few acid attack victims and for the first time we saw faces faces without makeup, without
lipstick or eyeliner, just lines and patches that told a story. This was both disturbing and inspiring for us. And this advertisement is all about
seeing beauty in a very different way. All we thought was to capture it to give it a meaning, to remove any speck of being a victim from those
eyes and give them a stage, employment and a platform or medium to flaunt it with style.
FROM AROUND THE WEB

Salary Credited! Take the wise step


now, Start a SIP

Planning for retirement? Don't make


these 5 mistakes.

Experts shocked, as new trick saves


online shoppers thousands in India

Bollywood Divas who are trying


Singing

MyUniverse

scripbox

MegaBargain 24

LiveI nStyle.com

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/a-diva-with-a-difference/article8131709.ece?css=print

1/2

1/21/2016

A diva with a difference - OTHER STATES - The Hindu

25 things people dont tell you about


being pregnant

Top 5 small cars in India under INR 5


lakh

Top 10 Bollywood Divas and Their


Most Prized Luxury Cars

Unique Method May Regrow Lost


Hair

Pregnancy

News

News

Lifestyle Journal

Do make us proud

People would tell me who would


marry you'

My parents didnt want me to act

MORE FROM THE HINDU

Asin ties the knot with Micromax


founder Rahul Sharma
19/01/2016

06/01/2016

08/01/2016

01/01/2016
Recommended by

Printable version | Jan 21, 2016 8:34:49 AM | http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/a-diva-with-adifference/article8131709.ece


The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/a-diva-with-a-difference/article8131709.ece?css=print

2/2

You might also like