Laxmi Aggarwal

Laxmi Agarwal (born 1 June 1990) is a leading figure for the "Stop Acid Attacks" group in India.  In 2014, US First Lady Michelle Obama gave Laxmi received an International Women of Courage Award.  NDTV (New Delhi Television Limited) chose her as Indian of the Year.

 Life 

In 2005, when Laxmi was 16 years old, Nalim Khan threw acid on Laxmi's face because she rejected advances by him.   The Hindustan Timesnewspaper wrote a story about Laxmi.  She got 27,000 names on a petition.  People signed the petition to show that they wanted a change in the sale of acid.  She took the petition to the Indian Supreme Court. Because of the petition, the Indian Supreme Court told the central and state governments to control the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make it easier to hold a trial against a person who makes an acid attack. 

 Work 

Laxmi Agarwal is the director of Chhanv Foundation, an NGO (nongovernmental organization) that helps people who are able to keep living or succeeding in spite of acid attacks in India.

 References 

 Other websites 

 2015 International Women of Courage Awards, U.S. State Department photostream on Flickr 
 Secretary's International Women of Courage Award (U.S. Department of State)

Category:1990 births
Category:Indian activists
Category:Indian crime victims
Category:Living people
Category:Women who received the International Women of Courage Award