The human spirit is a remarkable thing. When faced with adversity, it has the power to persevere and overcome even the most challenging of obstacles. This is precisely what Kafi, a 15-year-old girl from Chandigarh, has shown us. Despite being an acid attack survivor and losing her vision at the age of three, Kafi has gone on to become a school topper in her CBSE Class 10 results, scoring an impressive 95.20 percent.

Kafi’s journey to success has been an arduous one. When she was just three years old, her neighbour threw acid on her while she was out playing Holi. The incident left Kafi with severe burns and resulted in the loss of her vision. Her entire childhood was spent in hospitals across the country as her parents struggled to get her the best possible treatment. 

For six years, Kafi’s family kept struggling, moving from one hospital to another, hoping to find a cure for her blindness. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to restore her vision. Kafi’s father then got her admitted to a blind school in Hisar, where he worked as a sweeper in the court and waited for her to complete her school hours. However, he realized that he would not be able to give her the best education this way and brought her to Chandigarh, where they could access better educational facilities.

Chandigarh had an excellent educational institute for the blind, and Kafi’s family moved there, losing all their hard-earned savings in her treatment. Kafi’s journey to success began at the Institute of Blind in Sector 26, where she got direct admission to Class 6. Despite the challenges she faced, Kafi persevered and excelled academically, earning the respect and admiration of her peers and teachers alike.

Kafi’s academic journey was not without its obstacles. Unlike other children, she had to learn through braille and speech output methods. She listened to various classes through YouTube and prepared for sample papers and previous years’ papers with the support of her teachers and parents. With the help of Braille, educational videos, and other equipment, Kafi managed to understand the basics of all the subjects and studied hard to reach her goals.

Kafi scored 99 in English (language and literature), Hindi- 92, Hindustani Music- 96, Home Science- 93, and Social Science- 96 in her CBSE Class 10 exams, topping the Chandigarh blind school. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work and determination, and she has become an inspiration for many with her resilience in the face of adversity.

Kafi’s father Pawan is proud of her achievements and shares that he had named his daughter (‘Kafi’ means ‘enough’ in Urdu) with the intention that he would not need another daughter.

When they were hustling for years for her treatment, it was during this time that Kafi’s family realized that the case made by the Hisar police was too weak, and all three accused walked out of jail after just two years. Her family has spent over 20 lakhs on her treatment and a few more on the legal battle against her attackers. Despite the pending appeal against her attackers, Kafi remains determined to accomplish her dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Kafi’s passion for studying never dwindled, and she intends to pursue the Humanities stream and become an IAS officer. “I will take Arts in Class 12 and will pursue BA History,” she says. If she is unable to crack the UPSC exam, Kafi will become a teacher. Her determination to accomplish her dreams and make her parents proud is inspiring and a testament to the human spirit’s resilience.

Kafi’s story is a remarkable one that should inspire us all to overcome any obstacles in our own lives and pursue our dreams with passion and determination. Her journey shows us that with hard work, perseverance, and support from our loved ones, we can overcome any adversity and achieve success.

Kafi’s achievements also shed light on the issue of acid attacks in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 228 cases of acid attacks in India in 2019. These attacks are often the result of a jilted lover’s revenge, a failed marriage proposal, or a land dispute. The survivors of these attacks not only suffer from physical disfigurement and trauma but also face social ostracism and discrimination. Kafi’s story highlights the need for stricter laws and better support for acid attack survivors.

Kafi’s story is a reminder of the importance of inclusive education and the need for equal opportunities for all. Education is a fundamental right, and it is crucial to provide accessible and equitable education to all children, regardless of their abilities.Kafi’s achievements have garnered widespread recognition and praise, with many people hailing her as an inspiration.

 Image Credits: Tribune Photo - Vicky