More than a decade after surviving an acid attack in Lucknow, National Bravery Award recipient Resham Fatma has become the first known Indian acid attack survivor to receive the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. Under the UK government’s flagship global scholarship programme, she will pursue an MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Her journey from survivor to scholar, journalist and social advocate has been widely recognised as an example of resilience, leadership and the transformative power of education. Her selection reflects years of academic excellence, public service and advocacy for girls’ education and the rights of acid attack survivors, highlighting how opportunity and institutional support can help survivors move beyond rehabilitation towards leadership.
From a Life-Altering Attack to National Recognition
Resham Fatma was a Class 11 student in Lucknow when she was allegedly attacked with acid in February 2014 by her mother’s cousin after she refused his marriage proposal, according to her published accounts and contemporaneous media reports. Despite suffering severe burns, she managed to escape, reached a nearby police station and was later admitted to hospital for treatment.
The attack changed her life, but not her determination. In 2015, she received the Bharat Award, the highest honour under the National Bravery Awards, in recognition of her extraordinary courage. The accused later died by suicide while in judicial custody during the pendency of the case, according to contemporaneous media reports. Reflecting on the incident years later, Resham said she never wished for his death. Instead, she wanted him to witness her success and realise that the attack had neither defined nor destroyed her future.
Education Became the Turning Point
Recovery for Resham extended far beyond surgeries and medical care. She rebuilt her life through education, completing her undergraduate studies at Jamia Millia Islamia before earning a Master’s degree in Politics, specialising in International Relations, from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Alongside her academic journey, she built a career spanning journalism, public policy and social advocacy.
She founded the Ebrah Foundation in 2023, an initiative dedicated to empowering girls and young women through education, mentorship and leadership opportunities. The same year, she joined the Led By Foundation Fellowship, where she strengthened her work on gender equity, inclusive leadership and social justice.
Through her writing, research and public engagement, she has consistently advocated for greater dignity, equal opportunities and leadership roles for acid attack survivors. She argues that survivors deserve more than sympathy; they deserve access to quality education, meaningful employment and opportunities to influence policy and social change.
A Global Scholarship for Future Leaders
Resham’s latest milestone comes through the Chevening Scholarship, the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme that supports outstanding individuals with demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to creating positive change. She will pursue an MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), one of the world’s leading institutions for social sciences.
The programme will allow her to deepen her understanding of gender justice, public policy, global development and inclusive leadership. Her selection marks an important moment not only for her personal journey but also for the wider community of acid attack survivors in India. It demonstrates that survivors can go on to become scholars, professionals, researchers and changemakers when provided with sustained opportunities and institutional support.
Beyond Survival: What Her Journey Represents
Although India has strengthened laws governing acid attacks and tightened regulations on acid sales over the past decade, survivors continue to face significant challenges, including repeated medical procedures, lengthy legal battles, financial hardship, social stigma and barriers to education and employment.
Resham’s journey underlines that meaningful rehabilitation extends well beyond compensation and medical treatment. Long-term investments in education, mental health support, professional development and leadership opportunities are equally important in enabling survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
Her achievement also challenges the narrative that survivors should be remembered only for the violence they endured. Instead, it highlights how resilience, coupled with access to education and opportunity, can help individuals redefine their futures and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Resham Fatma’s story is ultimately about the transformative power of opportunity. While her remarkable achievement deserves celebration, it also raises a broader question about how society supports survivors long after public attention fades. Justice should not be measured only by legal accountability for perpetrators but also by whether survivors are able to access quality education, pursue ambitious careers and lead lives of dignity and purpose.
As Resham prepares to study at one of the world’s leading universities, her journey serves as a reminder that investing in survivors is an investment in a more inclusive and equitable society.
How can institutions, governments and communities work together to ensure that every survivor has the opportunity to realise their full potential?
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