Indian acid attack survivor makes runway appearance in US

From Yoshita Singh New York, Sep 9 (PTI) Sending a powerful message ofresilience and courage, an Indian teenager whose face wasbrutally disfigured in an acid attack walked the runway at theprestigious New York Fashion Week here, winning hearts withher message that beauty is not skin deep. Reshma Qureshi, 19, was invited to take part in thebi-annual fashion week by fashion production company FTL Moda. Qureshi wore a floor-length white gown with floral printsby Indian designer Archana Kochhar and was greeted with cheersand applause as she confidently walked the ramp yesterday inwhat she called a life-changing experience. Backstage, as she was getting ready to walk in two shows,video cameras and photographers thronged around her. "It feels very nice," Qureshi said, speaking in Hindi. She stressed that it is important for people to know "thestory about the survivors of acid attacks and that they toocan lead normal lives." Speaking through a translator, Qureshi said the messageshe wants to send across with her appearance at the fashionweek is that people should not be judged based on theirappearance. "You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover," said Qureshi,who lost an eye in the acid attack. "I want to tell the world that do not see us in a weaklight and even we can go out and do things," she was quoted assaying by the ABC News. The runway appearance was part of FTL Moda’s#TakeBeautyBack fashion week campaign. Qureshi was attacked by her brother-in-law in 2004 andher face was doused in acid by him and his friends. Instead of letting that incident pull her down, Qureshihas become a strong voice for acid attack victims in India. In India, Qureshi launched her own YouTube videos for’Make Love Not Scars’, a charity that aims "to raise awarenessfor acid attack survivors and empower them to live life withdignity". In the videos, filmed in her home in Mumbai, Qureshioffers make-up advice and beauty tips and discuss crimesagainst women. PTI YASZH