Agra :
Sampat Pal, founder of Gulabi Gang, on Sunday inaugurated a cafe-cum-boutique that will strive to bring acid attack survivors back into the mainstream.
The support centre, named Sheroes Hangout, also intends to provide employment to such victims. The ‘hangout’ will also try to pressurize shopkeepers to stop selling acid in open markets in the city.
Pal extended her support to survivors and sought stringent punishment against perpetrators of such crimes. She also urged the government to come ahead and help acid attack survivors.
The two-floor cafe, opposite the Taj Mahal Gateway hotel on Fatehabad Road, is a joint effort of an NGO Chaanv Foundation and a group of acid attack survivors.
“This is a very noble initiative and sends a strong message to society. We salute the courage of these fighters and stand with them. The government should come forward and help acid attack survivors,” said Pal.
She added that perpetrators of such crimes should be “hanged for this inhuman act”.
The cafe will offer a reading section where books and journals on women’s empowerment and feminism will be available. Besides, a boutique to display creations of a survivor Rupa, a parlour, a kitchen and a snack shop will also be up on display.
Ashish Shukla of Chaanv Foundation said, “We have started a test run of the cafe from today (Sunday) which will go on for next 15-20 days. During this time, all the survivors will be given training in various sections of the hangout. Customers will not be charged any fixed amount during this period and they can pay whatever they wish. We will focus on people’s suggestions and how they are taking our initiative during test run.”
He added that the cafe will be formally inaugurated during a three-day event starting November 7 with a series of awareness campaigns.
Five young women have been rehabilitated under the Agra chapter of Sheroes hangout, added Alok Dixit, founder of ‘Stop Acid Attack’ campaign.
Rupa (22), who was attacked by her step-mother with acid when she was sleeping, said, “There was a time when people used to frown upon us and were reluctant to offer jobs, but now these girls have shown that they are not less than anyone.”
Chandresh Mishra (32), a resident of Meerut and acid attack victim, said this menace was not just limited to women. “The Agra chapter will shape our campaign in other neighbouring districts,” he added.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / by Aditya Dev, TNN / October 19th, 2014