#MYRISESTORY – Neha Pandey

I live in a tier 2 city of India, and honestly, that has exposed me to so many situations that have had an
everlasting impression on me. A soon as I read the word “DREAM,” I can only think of one incident that
changed me as a person both mentally and emotionally.

Coming from a privileged and protected family, I wasn’t very much aware of all the things wrong with our
society during my school days. But it didn’t stay like that for long. Now let me take you back by 10 years when I
was a 15-year-old happy-go-lucky girl for whom 5:00 pm just meant going out with friends for cycling. I clearly
remember it was someday in June when my friends and I were at the park just running carefree behind each
other. Everything was going fine, but suddenly we heard a lady scream at the top of her voice, we rushed to
see what had happened. As soon as we reached that spot, we could see her sitting down and crying for help;
when we tried to enquire about it, the elders present there just asked us to play. We left from there and came
back home. After reaching home, I discussed this with my mother, but she told me that it might have been
something insignificant and that I should not think about it. The next day, our colony was all over the
newspapers and TV, and I could see my parents discussing something. I went ahead and asked them what had
happened, and it was then that my parents sat me down and told me that this lady had acid thrown over her
face and that it burnt her face completely. I was shocked and scared at the same time because I knew exactly
where the incident happened. For around two months, neither I nor any of my friends went out without our
parents.

This was the first time I was fearful, and I stopped going for any of my extra-curricular activities post-school. I
felt claustrophobic in my own home. My parents noticed that and talked to me about it, and with time, I
started getting back on track. And honestly, to date, I can’t be sure if I have completely gotten out of that fear.
But now, after 10 years of living apart from my parents in far-off cities, I can say that the fear has now
transformed into motivation to do something for girls who have faced attacks like these and whose life has
turned upside down.

Through all these years, one thing that has remained constant is my aspiration to start a company that
employs only acid attack survivors that can help these young girls and women come out of that dark phase in
their lives and achieve things they are totally different capable of. And trust me, if you think that the number
of girls going through this situation is low, you are sadly mistaken. This is the dream that I want to work for,
and this is something I am going to do someday or the other because just thinking about achieving it makes me
feel so powerful and excited, and I cannot wait to see it turn into reality. Of course, all this is extremely scary
because it's not easy, and it needs a great deal of dedication and effort from my end. Still, just that burning
desire deep inside me to turn this into a reality and contribute towards the betterment of women around me
makes me put in extra efforts in whatever I pursue. I feel that post that incident, I am the most empathetic
person in any room, and I am not afraid to say it aloud. I CARE about others and think about where they come
from before passing judgments on them. I want to end this by mentioning few lines that I wrote which have
truly inspired me to continue working hard to pursue the dreams I have:

“I saw a girl who had big beautiful eyes.

But she hid her face, looked like she was trying to disguise

I ran towards her to ask if she was worried or shy

She removed the mask, and I could see her cry

I understood what had happened

And after hearing her out, I was saddened

I told her to leave it all behind and look at the pretty skies

Because together I and you are meant to Rise.”