Acid attack survivor gets engaged on Valentine’s Day nine years after tragedy

Pramodini Roul met her fiancé in hospital in 2014

(REUTERS)

A woman who endured a terrible acid attack as a teenager marked Valentine’s Day in the most special way possible by becoming engaged.

Pramodini Roul’s life changed forever in 2009 when a paramilitary force jawan (junior soldier) threw acid in her face when she turned down his proposal of marriage.

At 16 years old, Roul suffered complete loss of vision in both eyes and 80 per cent burn injuries as a result of the assault.

Roul spent five years in the care of her mother and two sisters at home, having spent nine months in an intensive care unit.

However, her life took a turn for the better in 2014 when she met her future fiancé, Saroj Kumar Sahu, while being treated in a hospital in Cuttack.

“After three months of treatment, Babu [a pet name for Sahu] came with a nurse after she mentioned to him about my fight,” she told the Hindustan Times.

“I was down with depression with no movement. It was then that Saroj vowed to help me stand on my feet.”

Sahu helped Roul regain her confidence as she continued her journey towards rehabilitation.

In July last year, Roul underwent an operation that restored 20 per cent of vision in her left eye.

Sahu took four months off from work to provide Roul with the support she needed when they first met.

The pair formed a powerful bond and are now looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together.

Their official engagement in Lucknow, northern India actually took place 13 months after Sahu initially proposed.

Their engagement ceremony was a very splendid affair, involving a ring ceremony and a celebratory dance.

Roul, who likes to be known as Rani (a Hindu queen), also took part in a group dance with fellow acid attack survivors.

She and Sahu, who has since left his job as a medical representative, now work together to help other acid attack survivors through the Chhanv Foundation.