Life Journey of an Acid Attack Survivor | Pramodini Roul | TEDxGLAU

Quick Overview

Acid attack survivor Pramodini Roul recounts the horrific incident where she was attacked at age 16 in Odisha, detailing the subsequent physical and emotional trauma, including being completely blind and how the attacker's family tried to silence her, ultimately finding strength to overcome societal stigma and pursue her dreams, including becoming a TEDx speaker.

Key Points: Pramodini Roul was attacked with acid at age 16 in Odisha. The acid attack caused her to become completely blind, and her eyes were damaged. The attacker's family tried to silence her by hitting her and demanding she drop the case, but she refused. She struggled with the societal stigma attached to acid attack survivors, noting that beauty is prioritized over ability. Her mother provided positive support, teaching her that her actions (karma) matter more than her appearance. After the attack, she decided to pursue her dream of speaking at a TEDx event, which she successfully achieved. She emphasizes that her goals are now focused on living a successful life representing acid attack survivors, not seeking revenge.

Context: The video features Pramodini Roul sharing her deeply personal and traumatic story as an acid attack survivor at a TEDxGLAU event. She speaks candidly about the physical injuries sustained, the emotional and societal challenges she faced afterward, and the unwavering support system, particularly her mother, that helped her reframe her perspective on success and ability despite her circumstances.

Detailed Analysis

Pramodini Roul begins by introducing herself as an acid attack survivor from Odisha. She recounts that when she was 16, she was attacked with acid, which left her completely blind; her eyes were damaged, and she had saline tubes in her hands. The attacker's family attempted to intimidate her, demanding she drop the case after hitting her and threatening her, but she refused to be silenced. She shares that she used to cry often, especially when comparing herself to others or when she saw her old photos, noting that society often prioritizes external beauty over capability. Her mother, who had a modern mindset, taught her that her actions (karma) are what truly matter, not her appearance. Roul explains that the attacker was punished, but the experience was harrowing, leading to her blindness. Despite the trauma, she continued to work hard, winning district-level awards for dancing. She mentions that she never told the media about the attack when she worked at an NGO, but now, speaking at TEDxGLAU, she shares her story. She concludes by stating that she is now working to represent acid attack survivors positively in life, emphasizing that her focus is on living well rather than seeking revenge on the attacker who threw acid on her body, not her mind.