Pragya Prasun: A Survivor’s Resilient Journey from Tragedy to Triumph
On a fateful day in 2006, Pragya Prasun’s life changed forever. Just 12 days after her marriage, the 22-year-old woman from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, became the victim of a horrific acid attack. The perpetrator was a jealous former suitor, who had been stalking Pragya and could not bear the thought of her being with another man.The attack left Pragya with 47% burns on her body, including severe damage to her face and eyes. The sheer intensity of the pain was unimaginable, as the corrosive liquid seared through her delicate skin, causing excruciating agony. Pragya’s world had been turned upside down in a matter of seconds, leaving her physically and emotionally scarred.
Overcoming the Aftermath: A Relentless Struggle
In the aftermath of the attack, Pragya faced an uphill battle. Accessing medical care and rehabilitation services was a constant struggle, as she encountered bureaucratic hurdles and societal stigma at every turn. Doctors warned her that the road to recovery would be long and arduous, with multiple surgeries and extensive treatment required. Despite the immense physical and emotional trauma, Pragya refused to be defined by her scars. She channeled her pain into a powerful force for change, determined to not only reclaim her own life but to also support others who had suffered similar fates.Pragya underwent numerous surgeries and treatments, slowly regaining her strength and confidence. But her journey was far from over. She soon realized that she was not alone in her struggle, as acid attacks had become a pervasive issue in India, disproportionately affecting women.
Empowering Acid Attack Survivors
Driven by a desire to support others like her, Pragya founded the Atijeevan Foundation in 2013. The foundation has been a beacon of hope for countless acid attack survivors, providing them with access to medical care, counseling, and legal assistance. Pragya and her team have supported more than 250 survivors, helping them regain their independence and reclaim their lives. Pragya’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2019, she was awarded the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honor for women in India, in recognition of her tireless work. This award not only validated her efforts but also shone a spotlight on the plight of acid attack survivors.
The Alarming Prevalence of Acid Attacks
Acid attacks are a devastating form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affect women in India. According to the data, there are more than 100 reported acid attacks in the country every year, with the actual number believed to be much higher. India ranks among the top countries in the world for the number of women facing acid attacks. The reasons behind these attacks are often rooted in patriarchal norms, jealousy, and a desire to control women. Perpetrators use acid as a weapon to disfigure and humiliate their victims, leaving them with lifelong physical and emotional scars.
Pragya’s Fight for Digital Inclusion
One of Pragya’s most pressing concerns is the issue of digital exclusion faced by acid attack survivors. Many survivors, including Pragya herself, have experienced difficulties in obtaining basic services such as opening a bank account due to their disfigured appearance and eye burns. Pragya has been a vocal advocate for streamlining the digital KYC (Know Your Customer) process for these individuals. She believes that the current system, which often requires in-person verification, poses a significant barrier to their financial and social inclusion. In 2023, Pragya filed a petition with the Supreme Court of India, demanding that the government and financial institutions take immediate steps to address this issue. The court recognized the validity of her concerns and directed the Reserve Bank of India to formulate guidelines to ensure that acid attack survivors are not denied access to basic financial services.
Pragya Prasun, an acid attack survivor and a beacon of resilience, faced a new challenge when she was denied the basic right to open a bank account due to failed biometric verification. The incident unfolded when the KYC (Know Your Customer) machine could not scan her complete biometric details, particularly her inability to blink, which was a result of the acid attack’s impact on her eyes. This denial of a fundamental service due to her physical condition prompted Pragya to reach out for help, turning to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his Meer Foundation for assistance. Pragya took to Twitter to share her ordeal, emphasizing that being an acid attack survivor should not hinder her from living a life with dignity. She highlighted the injustice of being denied a bank account simply because she couldn’t blink for the KYC process. In her tweet, she tagged Shah Rukh Khan and his philanthropic foundation, Meer Foundation, known for its work in rehabilitating acid attack survivors and funding corrective surgeries. Pragya’s plea was not just for herself but for all acid attack survivors, advocating for a more inclusive world where individuals like her are not marginalized due to their physical challenges. Furthermore, Pragya went beyond social media activism and filed an online petition to draw attention to the struggles faced by acid attack survivors in accessing essential services like opening a bank account. She highlighted the limitations of facial recognition software, which often fails to accommodate individuals with facial disfigurements or eye problems that prevent them from blinking. Pragya’s petition urged for a reconsideration of policies that pose obstacles for survivors, emphasizing the need for alternative methods that are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of physical abilities. Pragya’s courageous act of speaking out against this injustice not only shed light on the challenges faced by acid attack survivors but also called for tangible changes to ensure their economic equity and right to basic financial services. Her plea to Shah Rukh Khan and the CEO of ICICI Bank was a poignant reminder of the barriers that individuals with disabilities continue to face in a world that often overlooks their needs. Through her advocacy, Pragya sought not only assistance for herself but also a broader societal shift towards greater inclusivity and understanding for all individuals, regardless of their physical differences.
A Beacon of Hope and Resilience
Pragya Prasun’s story is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Despite facing unimaginable adversity, she has emerged as a beacon of hope for acid attack survivors in India. Her unwavering commitment to supporting others and advocating for systemic change has inspired countless individuals and earned her the respect and admiration of her peers.As we continue to grapple with the scourge of acid attacks, Pragya’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Her journey reminds us that true strength lies not in the absence of struggle, but in the ability to overcome it and emerge stronger than before.