‘Stree shakti? Shakti doesn’t have a gender’

How it all began
There are a few dates that one can’t forget in their lifetime. For me, it was September 22, 2014 — the day my former boyfriend (Soumen Saha) threw acid on my face. Life’s never been the same since that moment. After a harrowing two years, on September 1, 2016, I joined an organisation that works for human rights, which eventually gave me the strength to fight for justice.On March 25, 2018, Soumen was put behind bars. This year on February 25, I got married to my boyfriend of five years, Shuvra Dey.
Not a special day
Women’s Day isn’t significant for me. Each day should be lived to the fullest by both men and women. Why celebrate womanhood once a year? On the very next day, you find news of domestic violence, rape, acid attack in the papers — so why this farce? Similarly, I feel there’s nothing called stree shakti, as power or shakti doesn’t have a gender. It is all fed to us by our society.
Lifting the veil
Ever since the acid attack, I have struggled every single day. Facing the social stigma was way more painful than the physical pain. I’d always cover myself with a dupatta as people used to make fun of my distorted face. But then I thought if the assaulters with perverted souls can roam around freely, why should I hide my face? From the very next day I stopped covering my face.
Life after marriage
I am married to my best friend who was by my side in my worst phase. He has promised to never leave my hand. When my right eye vision got almost blurred after the attack, Shuvra told me he wanted to be my right eye! I’m blessed with lovely in-laws, who have accepted me the way I am.
Fangirl moment
After Shah Rukh Khan tweeted to wish me on my wedding, I was on cloud nine! I've met him before too. He is so inspiring. What surprises me, however, is that a Bollywood superstar was by our side but no one from Tollywood has ever contacted us. We all fight our own battle.
— As told to Ruman Ganguly