Acid Attack Survivors Break Silence as Hosts of India’s Sheroes TV
Acid attack survivors launch Sheroes TV to challenge stigma.
The Chhanv Foundation, an NGO dedicated to supporting acid attack survivors, launched Sheroes TV, India’s first video podcast platform entirely hosted by survivors, at Asmita Theatre Studio in suburban Mumbai. Aimed at dismantling the stigma surrounding acid attack victims, the initiative features hosts Anshu Rajput, Roopa, and Mousumi Halder interviewing notable figures like actors Faisal Malik and Zeeshan Ayyub, poets, writers, and IAS officers.
Broadcast across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, the platform fosters feminist dialogue on courage, equality, and social change, transforming survivors into storytellers and advocates.
Anshu Rajput, 27, shared her journey of resilience after a horrific attack at 15, which left her untreated for 13 hours and cost her left eye. Rejected by her school, she found purpose through Sheroes Hangout Café in 2015, completing her education and learning Spanish and computers. Roopa, attacked by her stepmother, credited Chhanv’s founder, Alok Dixit, for empowering her to embrace her identity, leading to a role in the film Akira.
Mousumi Halder, a burn survivor, overcame initial fears to host, inspired by the foundation’s support and her parents’ encouragement. Their stories highlight the transformative impact of Chhanv’s initiatives, including medical aid, counseling, and employment opportunities.
The launch event featured Dastak, a play by Asmita Theatre Group directed by Arvind Gaur, addressing acid attacks to raise awareness. Gaur emphasized theater’s role in social activism, expressing hope that such performances would one day be unnecessary. Dixit underscored Sheroes TV’s mission to portray survivors as leaders, not victims, aiming to reach wider audiences through influential guests.
With India reporting over 200 acid attack cases annually, the platform seeks to drive societal change, leveraging the podcasting boom to amplify survivors’ voices and inspire a future free from such violence.
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