In 2005, 15-year-old Laxmi’s life changed forever after she turned down a 32-year-old man’s marriage proposal. Incensed, he teamed up with his younger brother’s girlfriend and threw acid on her face in Khan Market, New Delhi. Four days after the incident, he was arrested. A month later, he was released on bail but was finally imprisoned for 10 years. In the interim, he got married and now has two kids.

Laxmi, Rita and Rupa strike a pose.

Laxmi, meanwhile, was ostracised by society and lost her confidence. Over a period of time, her father and younger brother died. Today, however, 24-year-old Laxmi is brimming with confidence. Dressed in a powder blue and pink lehenga choli, she strikes a pose along with four other acid attack survivors — Rupa, Rita, Chanchal and Sonam. The five have done a fashion shoot, sporting Rupa’s creations, to raise funds for the latter’s boutique.