“I am not a victim, I am a survivor,” says Daulat Bi Khan, an independent woman who fought her way for 10 years after an acid attack in 2010 finally to start a platform to help 52 other survivors. Overcoming rejection & disapproval post the acid attack, Daulat Bi Khan, has now started her own Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation, to help those who have faced acid attacks.
Daulat Bi Khan works to help survivors with their medical surgeries, supports them to earn a livelihood, boost their self-esteem & survive with dignity. Daulat says, “Even if we have faced an acid attack, our life does not and should not stop. Even though a part of our body is disfigured, we can still work. We can use our skills and effort to earn a living for ourselves, become financially independent instead of depending on others.”
Daulat faced an acid attack in 2010 by her own family members. She says, “I can never forget the day when my elder sister & her husband threw acid on me. It still haunts me. I had to undergo 17 surgeries because my face was disfigured & many exposed parts of my body were burnt.”
I went from pillar to post from municipal, government to private hospitals, from small-time doctors to expert surgeons. She says, “I was scared & in miserable pain after the attack. Blood would ooze out of my skin for days like a fountain. I had to undergo treatment in government hospitals because I could not afford the cost of surgery at private hospitals.”
My facial skin was hanging and the doctors at government hospitals would pull my skin to clean it with vinegar. They would keep me naked wrapped in a sheet after a shower at 4 am when the doctor would come for a regular round check-up at 3 pm. The doctor would pull pieces of my skin when they would remove the sheet. I decided never to undergo treatment in a government hospital.”
After staying in bed for six months and losing around 30 kgs, Daulat was motivated by her elder daughter to stand up in life and fight for her survival. Daulat says, “My eldest daughter inspired me to stand up again and fight for myself and my family. She told me that I should think of myself as a beautiful human. She gave me the courage to start my life all over again.”
Daulat used to work as a makeup artist before the attack. Daulat said, “When I started approaching the makeup company to get my job back, I was shunned off. The makeup company told me that they beautify other people and need only beautiful and good looking people to work. I felt disheartened but then, I started looking for other jobs because I wanted to earn my own living, feed my children and also save money for my surgeries.”
Many people would shut the door on my face. Daulat says, “Many people slammed their door on my face. They were not ready to give me any kind of employment. But I did not stop hunting for work. Finally, I started my own foundation in 2016, to help acid survivors like me.”
Through Saahas Foundation, Daulat aims to empower acid survivors, help them find a job, and get medical treatment for their surgeries. Daulat says, “Many acid attack survivors are treated as untouchables post the attack. They lose their entire self-esteem. I want to do my bit to help these survivors restart their life, gain a job so that they can sustain, feed themselves and their family. Also, acid survivors need to undergo several surgeries and need financial aid. How are they supposed to raise the money if they are not given jobs?”
Daulat has started ‘All in One Mini Super Market’ at Bazar Road, Bandra west to raise money where acid survivors work as employees in the store. Daulat said, “We do not believe in charity and living at the mercy of anyone. We want to empower ourselves and be self-sustainable. Having a job and earning money is extremely important for us. This is my small effort to help those who have survived.”
In addition, Daulat has started a crowdfunding initiative https://bit.ly/34lfrLn to help other survivors. Daulat said, “For an acid survivor, money is the primary need especially for surgeries. Then we need a change of mindset where people offer jobs to survivors, treat them as individuals and give them a chance to earn their livelihood.”
Acid should not be easily sold in the market. A miniscule quantity of cheap acid can disrupt the entire life of a person. The laws and police action should be stringent where acid survivors are taken care by the government and the accused are punished. NGOs should not be pretentious but literally work at the ground level to help victims. And survivors should not think of themselves as weak humans but stand up and start their life again. We all have a right to life and nobody can snatch it away from us. It is not going to be easy but it is important and worth it.
Recently, the Maharashtra state cabinet approved a draft bill to curb heinous crimes against women and children in the state. Under the bill, acid attack will be made a nonbailable offence with imprisonment not less than 10 years, but which may be extended to natural life with fine to be payable to the victim or with death with heinous offences. The fine would be levied up to Rs 10 lakh to help the victim with plastic surgery and face reconstruction.
The draft bill includes provisions such as completing probe in a case within 15 days and trial within 30 days. It proposes stringent punishment including death penalty and heavy fines for the culprits. Special police teams and separate courts will be set up for investigation and trial of cases against women and children. The perpetrators if found guilty will be punished with imprisonment for life for not less than ten years but may extend to the remainder of natural life or with death in cases which have characteristics of being heinous in nature.
The draft bill once passed by the state legislature will be called the “Shakti Act”. The draft bill will be tabled in the state legislature during the winter session, which began in Mumbai from December 14. After getting the house nod, the bill will be sent to the central government for approval and Presidential assent.
