Acid Attack Survivors walk the ramp at 2nd Kiah Fashion Show

Insight Bureau: The 2nd edition of Kiah Fashion Show organised by Parichay Foundation received massive response. For the first time, acid attack survivors from all over the country came to the state of Odisha, to be a part of a fashion show for a cause.

The survivors, each of whom is a source of inspiration for the society, walked the ramp to raise funds for the education of drop-out girls from underprivileged families as part of the Alaknanda Scholarship Programme, Parichay’s flagship project.

The eight survivors included Pramodini Roul who belongs to Odisha, currently work in Sheroes Café, (Agra and Lucknow), which is managed by Delhi-based Chhanv Foundation. Walking confidently on the ramp, the survivors were delighted to be a part of such a noble cause. Eminent men and women personalities from Odisha, also walked the ramp with them, saluting their fighter spirit while promoting the cause of girl child education.

The list included Bollywood actress Tisca Chopra, who was the star attraction, also walked the ramp with the survivors. “I am so happy that Parichay Foundation, its founder Rosalin Patsani Mishra and the entire team has organised a fashion show with such a noble cause. I can only salute the courage and fighting spirit of these survivors and hope that this fashion show does help Parichay get connected with more well-wishers and donors who can come forward to support the cause of girl child education,” she said.

The Alaknanda Scholarship Project was launched last year on November 14 as a flagship project of Parichay on the occasion of the first edition of Kiah Fashion Show, wherein slum girls adopted by Parichay had walked the ramp. While the first batch of 59 girls under the project have already appeared their exams and awaiting the results, the foundation has identified another 60 girls from the same region for the second phase.

Parichay Founder Rosalin Patsani Mishra said, “We have completed 10 years now and I still feel it’s just the beginning. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this programme such a big success, particularly the acid attack survivors. I am very much touched by the support the foundation has received from them for this scholarship project. For me, the biggest happiness comes from the fact that because of Parichay, drop-out girl students from financially weak families are being educated and are able to feel a significant positive difference in their lives”.