Acid Attack Survivors Get A New ‘Parichay’

Acid Attack Survivors Get A New ‘Parichay’

Bhubaneswar, November 15: Clad in designer clothes and flaunting fancy hairstyle and makeup, for the first time in the city, eight acid attack survivors from across the country walked the ramp with confidence for a noble cause during the second edition of Kiah Fashion show organised by Parichay Foundation here on Tuesday.

The survivors which also included Pramodini Roul from Odisha work in Sheroes Cafe of Agra and Lucknow, which is managed by Delhi based Chhanv Foundation.

The survivors, who are a source of inspiration for the society, walked the ramp to raise funds for the education of drop-out girls from underprivileged families as part of the Alaknanda Scholarship Programme, Parichay’s flagship project.

While the first batch of 59 girls under the project have already appeared their exams and awaiting the results, the foundation has identified another 60 girls from the same region for the second phase.

Joining the acid attack survivors, eminent personalities from Odisha, including actor Bijay Mohanty, social activists Subhashree Das, Madhusudan Das and Meera Parida, Prof. Annapurna Pandey, University of California and Little Miss Universe 2017 Padmalaya Nanda walked the ramp with them, saluting their fighter spirit while also promoting the cause of girl child education.

Bollywood actress Tisca Chopra, who was the star attraction, also walked the ramp with the survivors. Sharing her opinion about the noble initiative, she said, “I am so happy that Parichay Foundation has organised a fashion show with such a noble cause. I can only salute the courage and fighting spirit of these survivors and hope that this fashion show does help Parichay get connected with more well-wishers and donors who can come forward to support the cause of girl child education.”

Rosalin Patsani Mishra, founder of Parichay said, “We have completed 10 years now and I still feel it’s just the beginning. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this programme such a big success, particularly the acid attack survivors. I am very much touched by the support the foundation has received from them for this scholarship project. For me the biggest happiness comes from the fact that because of Parichay, drop-out girl students from financially weak families are being educated and are able to feel a significant positive difference in their lives.”

Overwhelmed with the experience, Reshma one of the survivors said, “It was really a nice experience walking the ramp for a noble cause. I am happy as this initiative is going to help girls who want to pursue their education but had left studies mid-way due to financial issue. Of course, walking the ramp with Bollywood actress Tisca Chopra was a special experience.”

Another survivor Madhu said, “It was a great opportunity for us to walk the ramp and face people with confidence. Seeing so many people at a time and receiving their appreciation was really exciting. We have been participating in many such events held in other parts of the country and this was our first experience in the temple city of Bhubaneswar which we will always cherish.”

As a token of appreciation, Parichay Foundation donated a cheque of Rs one lakh to Chhanv Foundation.