Reshma Qureshi, an acid attack victim, to walk at New York Fashion Week

She is all of 19 and was thrown acid at two years ago by her brother-in-law and people she considered as her friends. Now a popular face of the campaign against acid attacks, she is gearing up to walk the ramp at the New York Fashion Week next month.

We are talking about Reshma Banoo Qureshi, who has been leading India’s campaign against sale and prevalence of acid attack from the front ever since she survived the incident that changed the course of her life.

She has been associated with NGO ‘Make Love Not Scars’, and has represented the global initiative, #EndAcidSale. She also runs a vlog to raise awareness on crimes against women.

Read: A summer appeal from acid attack survivors

The NGO ‘Make Love Not Scars’ confirmed Qureshi’s participation at the NY Fashion Week to News18 by saying that they are “very thrilled about this opportunity” that has been given to her.

News 18 quoted Ilaria Niccolini, the producer at FTL Moda (New York-based fashion production house that contacted the NGO to reach Qureshi), as saying, “It has been a journey of discovery that led us to Make Love Not Scars, the most recognized entity supporting survivors of acid attacks in India. We want to give voice to these amazing women, who have been silently suffering, hiding, and too often depriving themselves of the opportunity to declare how beastly, and cruelly they have been attacked. FTL MODA and Global Disability Inclusion are activating a powerful movement called #TakeBeautyBack, in partnership with Fashion Week Online, to make all diverse models, feel beautiful and included in fashion and entertainment. We are working to create a world where acids used in these attacks are unavailable to the public.”

The NGO made a video of Qureshi’s reaction when she was informed about the news. It is both heart-touching and inspiring.

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