Amrita Fadnavis to pitch in to rehabilitate acid attack survivors

PUNE: Maharashtra chief minister's wife Amrita Fadnavis will soon work towards rehabilitating all acid attack survivors registered with the Women and Child Development Department (WCD) under the Manodhairya scheme.
Having ensured jobs for 16 victims registered with the department and the state women's commission, the CM's wife has announced that they would reach out to every district to register the survivors, help them secure jobs and get access to subsidized treatment for cosmetic surgeries.
"We are in talks with corporates, who are willing to take up responsibility, so that they can go on to lead a normal life," said Fadnavis, while speaking with TOI about the project.
Earlier this year, Fadnavis walked the ramp with some acid attack survivors at an event inaugurated by the CM. She told TOI that, with corporate help, they were able to rehabilitate 13 survivors registered with WCD and that more people are welcome to register.
Maharashtra state women commission's chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that they have adopted a fourfold step towards rehabilitating the acid attack survivors, which includes providing treatment tying up with leading hospitals for cosmetic surgeries, instilling confidence through counselling sessions and asking them to participate in public functions, helping them financially as well as with work opportunity. Fadnavis added that she is in talks with various corporate companies to help the survivors find placement after they undergo necessary training.
Director Megha Ramaswamy, who made Newborns on acid attack survivors, welcomed the initiative. "We tend to be cynical about politics extending its influence over causes and initiatives. This involvement has led to public dialogue world over," she said.