Laxmi Agarwal was born on June 1, 1990. She is a campaigner with Stop Sale Acid and a TV host. Laxmi Agarwal was attacked when she was 15-years old, waiting at the bus stop in Delhi. This followed after Laxmi rejected the 32-year-old assailant's marriage proposal. He was one of the acquaintances of her family, who harboured one-sided attraction towards her. Her face and other body parts got disfigured in the attack. She had to undergo several surgeries
Despite leading a tough life post acid attack, Laxmi Agarwal managed to put the culprits, who threw acid on her, behind bars. She gathered 27,000 signatures on a petition citing to curb acid sales and filed a PIL in 2006 seeking a new law or amendment in the present law which deals with these offences, besides asking to give compensation.
Laxmi Agarwal pleaded for a total ban on the sale of acid, citing an increasing number of incidents of such attacks on women across India. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of her. The SC created a fresh set of restrictions on the sale of acid. Laxmi, along with other acid attack survivors, started a hunger strike demanding immediate justice and rehabilitation for acid attack survivors. She has now started her campaign Stop Sale Acid
Under the new Supreme Court regulations, acid could not be sold to any individual below the age of 18 years. One is also required to furnish a photo identity card before buying acid. Laxmi Agarwal claimed that not much has changed despite all the regulations and acid is freely available in shops and she herself has gone and purchased acid easily.
Sharing her traumatic experience, Laxmi Agarwal said that when she first saw her face in the mirror after two-and-a-half months, she thought that she doesn't deserve something as bad as this. Laxmi Agarwal said that an acid attack does not happen to just one person, it happens to the entire family and post that she has survived a lot of things making her fearless
Laxmi Agarwal has walked the ramp for many fashion designers and has posed for professional photo shoots. She feels that these platforms have encouraged other victims, who are still afraid to face the world. Her relentless campaigning have also led to many acid attack survivors reopen their cases
Laxmi Agarwal fights for the rights of acid attack victims. She has inspired thousands of people and has become the voice of acid attack survivors in India. Laxmi is regarded as one of the pioneers for the upliftment and empowerment of the rights of acid attack survivors in India
Laxmi Agarwal gave tips on how to not talk to an acid survivor and that one should never victimise a survivor. She said that the problem lies in the fact that after somebody is attacked, the first question which comes to the minds of the people is, "How will she get married now?" She went on to say, "I always tell people that I never was a victim, will never be a victim and shall not let anyone else become a victim too."
Laxmi Agarwal is of the opinion that giving money as a donation is not a solution to the problem. Instead, one should adopt them and pay for their monthly fees or expenses because one doesn't know where the donation one gives is being spent. She adds that if one receives support in their education, then they are equipped to get a job also and can fend for themselves
Laxmi Agarwal was born in a middle-class family. She had a brother named Rahul who passed away at the age of 21 due to tuberculosis. Her father was a cook. He passed away in 2014 due to a heart attack at the age of 45. Laxmi Agarwal wanted to learn either Kathak or music
Laxmi Agarwal was in a relationship with social activist Alok Dixit. They mutually decided not to get married and instead be in a live-in relationship as they did not want people to come to their wedding and comment on Laxmi's looks. The decision was accepted by their families.
Laxmi Agarwal had said post the attack she never thought that she sould find love again but she found her soulmate in Alok Dixit, a social activist. However, the two separated in 2015. Laxmi Agarwal and Alok Dixit have a daughter together named Pihu.
Laxmi Agarwal is a doting mother and keeps posting pictures of their daughter Pihu on social media. Laxmi Agarwal said that initially, she feared that her sight would scare her daughter Pihu but all those fears died after Pihu's birth
Laxmi was one of the winners of the US State Department's International Women of Courage Award in 2014. She has also hosted a few episodes of a television show, and walked the ramp at London Fashion Week in 2016
Laxmi Agarwal's life as an acid attack survivor has inspired an upcoming Bollywood film 'Chhapaak'. Deepika Padukone will be essaying the role of an acid attack survivor whose character 'Malti' is based on Laxmi Agarwal. The actress believes the story needs to be told and has bankrolled her maiden production along with KA Productions to put forth a strong, brave, courageous and independent female character
In picture: Deepika Padukone's look from 'Chhapaak' and Laxmi Agarwal
'Chhapaak' is directed by Meghana Gulzar. Laxmi Agarwal said that she is involved in the making of the film. She said that Meghna Gulzar has spent a lot of time with her to understand her life and the director knows her entire history. Laxmi is confident that the movie will reflect her story the way it is.
As Chhapaak neared its release date, the on-screen and off-screen heroes Deepika Padukone and Laxmi Agarwal made their first joint appearance at the launch of the title track.
It was Laxmi's biggest dream to become a singer and her dream was fulfilled because of Deepika Padukone. Deepika revealed that it was Lakshmi's dream to participate in Indian Idol but couldn't participate because of this tragic accident. Laxmi crooned 'Lag Jaa Gale' and left Deepika and Neha Kakkar emotional.
At the song launch of the movie, Gulzar, who has written the lyrics for the songs in his daughter's new film "Chhapaak", said that the three women at the centre -- Deepika Padukone, Meghna and Laxmi Agarwal have something to say to the society through the movie, which deals with the story of an acid attack survivor."We should admire these girls. It is a movement in society and it is good that producers are involved in it, that they want to say this thing to society, to people. (It is all) thanks to Laxmi as this has come out from her, it is necessary," he said.
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