The Face Of courage

“PEOPLE know what rape is, people know what domestic violence is, but people do not know what acid attacks are, and that needs to change.” – Laxmi Agarwal, acid attack survivor

- Vanessa Papas

SHE won the hearts of millions across the globe after surviving a harrowing acid attack that disfigured her face, neck and hands. Now a movie is being made on the life of one of India’s biggest women advocates – and it’s starring one of Bollywood’s biggest names! At the age of 16, Laxmi Agarwal had the face of an angel. Her striking features turned the heads of many men in her hometown of New Dheli, India, including a man twice her age. The 32-year-old Naeem Khan had seen Laxmi at a local bookshop where she worked on weekends. He had tried his luck with the teen several times before but had been rejected. His latest proposition – marriage – was also turned down by Laxmi, who dreamt of far bigger things than settling down and having a family so young. She wanted to be a singer and dancer, and travel the world. The rejection was more than Naeem could handle and he, along with two of his friends, decided to teach the teen a lesson she would never forget. On April 22, 2005, while Laxmi was walking to the bookshop, Naeem threw a beer bottle loaded with acid at her. The acid instantly scarred Laxmi’s face, even dissolving the bone around her eyes, mouth and nose