Thirty-six-year-old Haseena Hussain, who fought a long battle after being attacked with acid, today called upon all acid attack victims to be independent and not be bogged down in life.
"Every acid attack survivor should be independent and be employed. They should not lose their confidence and get bogged down by the incident. Because if our hope dies, it will be their (attackers) victory.
"I did not give up after the acid attack which robbed me off my eyesight. I continued my studies and also got a job," said Haseena, a native of Bangalore, who works in a government office now.
She was one of the several acid attack survivors who assembled today in the capital to create a national network that will help victims like them.
Survivors of acid attacks from around 20 states came together to get their voices heard on a national platform.
"I don't think a punishment of 15 years is enough to heal our wounds as we have been scarred for life. The perpetrators should be given life imprisonment till death. They also need to realise how it feels when you throw acid on somebody," said Haseena who was attacked by her boss in 1999 after she rejected his marriage proposal.
Her scarred face and body showed the extreme brutality of the attack.
Another victim, Chanchal from Bihar has also not given up on life as she prepares to enrol herself in a college.
She was attacked by four of her village men with acid and now her perpetrators roam around scot-free.
"We lodged a police complaint. They went to jail but now they roam around in front of my eyes," she said.
