The Laxmi Foundation (TLF) is a registered trust (Article 64) established in 2019.
The Laxmi Foundation, an NGO, is an initiative by acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal (Founder) and Dr. Navpreet Kaur. Through their philanthropic endeavour, they have undertaken to help other brave hearts like Laxmi, who had to face the ravages of the brutal violence of an acid attack. Today Laxmi foundation is a ray of hope for many survivors who have no one to support them.
Laxmi was 15 when attacked with acid by a spurned 32-year-old man. She has established grassroots campaigns for tackling the surge of acid attacks; one of her petitions –Laxmi v UOI (2014)4 SCC 427, has led the honourable Supreme Court of India to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, enhance compensation for acid attack survivors and the Parliament to enable easier prosecutions of acid attack perpetrators.
In her battle against acid violence, Laxmi began a campaign called “StopSaleAcid” in 2018 against the unrestricted sale of acid and also to help acid attack survivors in their rehabilitation.
The NGO aims to understand the various aspects related to acid attack victims to strengthen legal aid and representation for victims of acid attacks in availing the benefits of the various legal provisions and schemes for compensation. To enable the victims of acid attacks to get access to medical facilities and rehabilitative services. To create and spread awareness about the entitlements of the victims of acid attacks. To identify possible strategies and mechanisms for program implementation and monitoring. To undertake research and documentation to study the various schemes, laws etc. to find out the gaps, and the needs and to make suggestions to the appropriate authorities. To connect the acid attack victims with the welfare schemes of the Central/State Government meant for their protection & rehabilitation. To ensure the involvement of public agencies/NGOs to organize meaningful and comprehensive programmes for acid attack victims. To connect with acid attack victims for their vocational/ education training. To extend assistance in providing jobs in private/ public sectors.
The vision of the ‘Laxmi Foundation’ is “Reaching the Unreached.” We envision a world free of acid attacks, sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Our aim is that survivors of crimes, as well as their families and communities, receive responsive, empowering services and support that meet their needs, both individual and cultural, through advocacy, counselling and education aimed at eliminating recurrence, challenging oppressive social institutions, and reducing violence and oppression. We strive for an equal world, where emotional, mental and learning differences are valued equally; where the inherent autonomy and dignity of each person are fully respected; and where human rights are realized for all people without discrimination. Our vision goes far beyond as humanity now faces an environmental crisis of global proportions. We strive to provide a clean, healthy and well-protected environment supporting a sustainable society and ecosystem.
How the foundation is helping curb or deal with ACID ATTACKS:
Stop Sale Acid: A campaign to stop the sale of acid.
A campaign called “Stop Sale Acid” aims to curb the sale of these toxic substances and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those who experience the violence of an acid attack was initiated by Laxmi Agarwal in June 2018. The need to campaign against such attacks received a major boost after the government included acid attack victims for benefits under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016.
This was to ensure that survivors of acid attacks get all the benefits of disability provided under the law. The key objectives of the Stop Sale Acid campaign are:
a. To ban the sale of acid in India
b. To make people aware of the hazardous effects of acid
c. To rehabilitate acid attack survivors
d. To provide free legal assistance for those in need
e. To counsel acid attack survivors and their families
f. To work worldwide against acid violence
A. The Foundation runs a Shelter Home for Acid Attack Survivors:
“Shelter Home for Acid Attack Survivors” is in New Delhi. There are many survivors who have approached us for help. They are facing several issues such as medical, unemployment including rehabilitation. Whenever a survivor travels from any state to New Delhi for treatment, they need a congenial environment for proper counselling, treatment, and post-treatment care. Thus, to provide legal aid, counselling facilities, recreational activities, learning facilities, rehabilitation, and post-treatment care, we have built a shelter home for acid attack survivors. They will avail of all the facilities free of cost. All the costs and expenses are borne by The Laxmi Foundation.
B. Mitti Handprints/Skill Development Project
The Laxmi Foundation has proudly chosen the path of ATAMNIRBHAR BHARAT, the new INDIA. They are bringing our tradition back with the colourful and beautiful design of MITTI HANDPRINTS by Acid Attack Survivors. Acid attack survivors prepare the products with mitti which are being sold in exhibitions. All the profit is utilized for the benefit of acid attack victims.
“We cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that we can do.”
