Acid attack victim, Laxmi who went to become the Standard-bearer in end acid attacks movement, will be honored with US’s prestigious International Women of the Courage Award. The First Lady of US Michelle Obama, will be awarding the price to Laxmi in the State Department of Washington.

Laxmi was just 16 when acid was thrown on her face while waiting for a bus in the busy Khan Market of New Delhi in 2005. The attack disfigured her face permanently. The attacker was a known face to her. He was 32 year old brother of her friend. The attacker had planned to obliterate Laxmi’s face because she refused to his romantic advances.

The State Department said, “Many acid attack victims never return to normal life: they often go to great lengths to hide their disfigurement, many forgo education or employment rather than appear in public, and suicide is not uncommon. But Laxmi did not hide.” Department further added, “She became the standard-bearer in India for the movement to end acid attacks. She made repeated appearances on national television, gathered 27,000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales, and took her cause to the Indian Supreme Court.”

”Laxmi’s petition led the Supreme Court to order the Indian central and state governments to regulate immediately the sale of acid, and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue,” the State Department said.

“Much is left to be done, and Laxmi continues to advocate on behalf of acid attack victims throughout India for increased compensation, effective prosecution and prevention of acid attacks, and rehabilitation of survivors,” it said.

Laxmi will be presented with the award along with several other awardees from other countries. The Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award was established in 2007 to honor women across the globe that have shown exceptional courage and have been great warriors for women equality, human progress and social progress even at the risk of their lives.

Among other awardees are Nasrin Oryakhil (Afghanistan), Roshika Deo (Fiji), Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze (Georgia), Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar (Guatemala), Fatimata Toure (Mali), Maha Al Muneef (Saudi Arabia), Oinikhol Bobonazarova (Tajikistan), Ruslana Lyzhychko (Ukraine) and Beatrice Mtetwa (Zimbabwe).