Acid attack survivor becomes school topper, aims to become IAS

Acid attack survivor becomes school topper, aims to become IAS


Not letting her disability and other hurdles stand in the way of success, Kafi, a 15-year-old acid attack survivor topped in the CBSE 10th Board examination by scoring 95.2 per cent. 

Blinded by acid attack when she was just 3, Kafi topped Chandigarh’s Institute of Blind in her Class 10 Boards. However, it was not easy for Kafi to reach this milestone. 

Kafi’s Struggle

She was only three years old when three men flung acid on her at a village in Budhana, Hisar while she was playing holi. The three men were her neighbours and threw acid on her out of jealousy. She lost her sight in the acid attack even as her parents Pawan and Suman ran to different hospitals with hopes of her treatment, India Today reported.

As per media reports, her father got her admitted to Delhi AIIMS for treatment. However, the doctors informed him that Kafi would remain blind for the rest of her life. Apart from losing her vision, her entire mouth and arms were badly burnt in the brutal acid attack. While the doctors were able to save her, they couldn’t save her eyesight. 

Kafi’s father fought for justice and the attackers were sentenced to two years imprisonment by the district court.

Journey to achieve milestone

After losing her eyesight, she started studying at Hisar’s blind school at the age of eight. She completed her first and second classes at the school. However, due to lack of facilities, her family had to shift to Chandigarh.

Kafi’s father Pawan works as a peon at Chandigarh’s Secretariat on a contract basis. 

Despite lack of resource and the challenges, she was quite determined for studies. For her academics excellence, she directly got promoted to class 6. 

Dreams to become IAS

Kafi dreams to become an IAS by overcoming all hurdles and make her parents proud. Now, after achieving this feat, she is now determined to pursue her dream of becoming an IAS officer.

"My parents did not lose hope and I want to show the acid attackers and everyone that irrespective of what was done to me, I am not worthless,” said Kafi.

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