Kafi, a 17-year-old acid attack survivor from Hisar, Haryana, has emerged as the topper of Chandigarh’s Institute for the Blind in the CBSE Class 12 humanities board exams, scoring an outstanding 95.6%. Despite losing her eyesight at the age of three in a horrific acid attack, Kafi’s unwavering determination and hard work have propelled her to academic excellence.
Her story has inspired many, highlighting both her dreams of joining Delhi University and becoming an IAS officer, and her family’s ongoing struggle for justice against the perpetrators of the attack. Her achievement has been lauded by school officials, her family, and the wider community.
Against All Odds: Kafi’s Journey of Grit and Excellence
Kafi’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience and hope. In 2011, while celebrating Holi in her village in Hisar, she was attacked with acid by neighbours, resulting in the complete loss of her eyesight and severe facial burns. After years of treatment at AIIMS Delhi, Kafi began her formal education at the age of eight.
Since joining the Institute for the Blind in Chandigarh in Class 6, she has consistently excelled, topping her class every year. Kafi credits her success to her disciplined study routine, spending up to six hours daily with NCERT audiobooks, braille scripts, and YouTube lessons. “I am happy with my marks.
I just want to succeed in life and become an IAS officer, so my father can see me sitting in the same office where he works,” she shared.
Her father, a contractual peon at the Mini Secretariat in Chandigarh, and her mother, who moved to the city to support her education, express immense pride in her achievements. School principal S.K. Sharma remarked, “Kafi’s perseverance and dedication have set an example for all our students.”
Still Seeking Justice: A Family’s Unfinished Battle
While Kafi’s academic triumph is celebrated, her family’s quest for justice remains unresolved. The assailants responsible for the attack received only a two-year sentence, a verdict the family is challenging in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, believing it does not reflect the severity of the crime.
“Those who did this to me are still roaming free,” Kafi said, echoing her family’s pain and determination. Despite these challenges, the family has focused on building a better future for Kafi and her younger brother, whom she tutors daily.
Kafi’s story has also brought attention to the gaps in legal and social support for acid attack survivors in India. Her love for cricket and admiration for Virat Kohli add a touch of normalcy to her otherwise extraordinary life, and she remains a beacon of hope for her classmates and the visually impaired community.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Kafi’s inspiring journey is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the transformative power of empathy, opportunity, and support. Her achievements underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure justice for survivors of violence and equal access to education for all, regardless of physical ability or circumstance.
As we celebrate Kafi’s triumph, it is imperative to reflect on our collective responsibility to foster a society that stands against injustice and uplifts the most vulnerable among us. How can we, as a community, ensure that survivors like Kafi receive not only the opportunities they deserve but also the justice and dignity they are owed?
