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Continuing with its series of inspiring and insightful webinars amidst the ongoing lockdown scenario necessitated by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Business School (ABS) organized a Live Interactive WEBINAR on ‘The Art of Living a Fearless Life’ by Ms Laxmi Agarwal for all PGDM/MBA students and aspirants on Tuesday, 19th May 2020 at 4.00 pm. The webinar, as expected, turned out to be an inspiring saga of grit and courage so movingly related by the indomitable Indian acid attack survivor, Ms Laxmi Agarwal!

Though she needs little introduction, a few words about the distinguished host will not be out-of-place here:

Ms Laxmi Agarwal, Founder-The Laxmi Foundation, is an Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for the right to acid attack victims, TV host and former Director, Chhanv Foundation, an NGO dedicated to help acid attack survivors in India. An acid survivor in 2005 at the age of 16, she has worked tremendously for the help of acid attack victims. One of her petitions has led the Supreme Court to order the Central and State Governments to regulate the sales of acid and the Parliament to enable easier prosecutions of acid attack perpetrators. She has been honoured for her courage and women empowerment by the Ministry of Women & Child Development and by UNICEF for her campaign of ‘Stop Sales of Acid’. She has also been awarded by the First Lady Michelle Obama for her tremendous contribution & courageous efforts towards society. The movie ‘Chhapaak’ is based on her life and stars Deepika Padukone in her role.

This WEBINAR was organized for all PGDM/MBA students and aspirants. The WEBINAR was followed by a Q&A Session with the distinguished guest.

This life changing webinar session by Ms Laxmi Agarwal opened with the distinguished guest thanking ABS for this honour and congratulating ABS students for pursuing their PGDM courses from this reputed business college in India.

Ms Laxmi Agarwal then went on to relate her own heart-wrenching story of the unfortunate and horrific acid attack that she suffered in 2005 at the age of 15 after she rebuffed the romantic advances of one Naeem Khan. She narrated the poignant details of those painful moments that broke the back of her otherwise happy family of four members that included her father, mother, brother and herself and led her to even contemplate the thought of suicide.

It is when she “gave up the will to live with this burnt-out face” that her parents, and especially her father, stood up for her cause and imparted her the most important lessons for her life – i.e. “Nothing is impossible in this world!” and to “Always stay Positive in life, come what may!”

She then recounted how she discovered her pillars of strength in her parents, her father’s boss and the lawyer who fought her case in the court of law without charging any fee for the services. This emboldened her to take up the cause of the acid attack victims as a challenge and an opportunity to craft an important crusade for justice for the betterment of society at large.

Ms Laxmi Agarwal then opened the session for questions from the participants. Several questions relating to her life and struggles were put up by the students, to which she replied most convincingly and inspiringly.

In her message for AEG towards the end, referring to the sufferings being faced due to lockdown by so many people around us, she advised the students to “always help people who need you in this hour of crisis”. She also exhorted students to “come out in support of the cause of survivors of societal tragedies like rape, acid attack, etc.” She then advised them to love their parents and share with them all their joys and worries of life and seek their counsel. She concluded saying, “Love yourself, focus on your goal, face the competitions positively, stay cool, stay positive and remember to live for those who love you the most.”