Sherose cafe is not just an ordinary cafe but a place of healing for acid attack victims which is a heinous and mostly a gender based crime in South Asian countries. Statistics suggest 80 percent of victims are women. When the acid is thrown on their face their nose melts and at times nostrils are shut ,eyes are damaged, eye lids and lips completely get damaged ,chin melts leaving not just the face and other parts of the body like chest and limbs deformed but the soul too !! The victims feel physically , emotionally and psychologically distorted.
Sherose Cafe is an NGO started in 2014 by Alok Dixit and Ashish who are journalists and activists. It is there in Agra ,Lucknow and Noida. Here they reach out to victims , give them social acceptance, provide employment and get surgeries done for the victim. These require funds constantly and with their zeal for the cause they have tied up with hospitals and doctors who are helping them.
In these times of botox and vanity here are the girls who have battled their fate and instead of living in victimhood ,have come out in open confidently working and serving in the cafe.
Most victims come from underprivileged backgrounds. Lack of strong laws, easy access to acids ,and a lengthy legal process surely depicts how the system has failed them. Sherose and these girls are not ready to fail themselves and are fighting back to survive to make society a better place to live in.
Speaking to the girls was a life changing experience. Ashish ji the co founder is the epitome of positivity and an activist in the true sense. He asked me if I could take online English speaking sessions with the girls who are trying to study English . It is a blessed opportunity for me to create a module and from June it shall commence.
AI urge the readers in case they have teaching skills especially in communication skills can join me in the endeavour and I can include you in the module to give the girls more exposure and show them we care for them.
Ritu, an acid attack Survivor who was the most chatty of the lot is also a motivational speaker!!
When you lose hope In humanity thinking of the people who have committed this crime then you see people like Alok and Ashish who restore the faith .Salute to them who have made these women “Sherose” of their lives.
Dr. Manisha Bose
Lecturer, ABAC
Chapter Head #Women Power a Global Movement Thailand .
[email protected]
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