Faces of courage: Acid attack victims stand tall in photoshoot

This photoshoot is bound to catch your attention, as it is unlike any other you have seen. Five courageous survivors of acid attacks have come together to pose for these photographs taken by lensman Rahul Saharan to highlight the issue of acid attacks in the country.

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Delhi-based designer Rupa, an acid attack victim survivor, along with her friends Rita, Sonam, Laxmi and Chanchal modelled the clothes from her new range, Rupa Designs.

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Hiding their faces in stoles or scarves while in public places, the women say that they longer feel the need for it. They posed without any hesitation and have pledged to no more hide their faces and believe that they need a life of dignity.

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Rupa suffered extensive injuries when her stepmother threw acid in her face while she was sleeping in 2008. Rupa, who wanted to be a designer, after the attack teamed up with the Stop Acid Attacks charity who run Chhaon, a support centre for survivors, and began designing clothes.

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The charity is now looking to help Rupa raise enough money to open her own clothing boutique in Delhi, which would employ other acid attack survivors as staff.

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Photographer Saharan on his Facebook page said, “We took these beautiful girls as models because they define beauty, courage, positivism. There is so much to beauty and these girls are strong. I dedicate this shoot to every woman on earth.”

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He added, “All of you are beautiful. So stay happy no matter who says what to you and have the courage to fight back. Rise and shine.”

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The photoshoot is truly inspiring and one of the most beautiful and uplifting things on the Internet today. In fact, Rupa has already sold three orders to a US tourist and has got an order from an Indian businesswoman for a traditional dress.