#GoodNews: Uttarakhand to Offer Pension to Acid Attack Survivors

“Chhapaak” the movie has succeeded to serve its “purpose”. Uttarakhand to start pension for acid attack survivors

Deepika Padukone plays an acid attack survivor in the film. 

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screengrab)

Good News.(Photo: The Quint)

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar is over the moon with her latest directorial Chhapaak as she says the movie has succeeded to serve its "purpose" after Uttarakhand announced pension for acid attack survivors in the state following the release.

On Sunday, 12 January, she took to Twitter, where she shared a news headline, which read: “Uttarakhand announces pension for acid attack survivors in state after release of ‘Chhapaak’.Meghna wrote: “PURPOSE.”

The New Indian Express on Saturday, 11 January, had reported that "as of now, there are 10-11 acid attack survivors living in the state of Uttarakhand".

Rekha Arya, the State Women and Child Welfare Minister, while announcing the scheme said that the government was planning to start a pension scheme under which Rs 5,000-6,000 will be provided every month to the survivors so that they can live a life with dignity.

“We will be bringing the proposal in the cabinet to get it approved to further implement the scheme. The idea is to support the brave women in achieving their dreams,” Arya was quoted as saying.

Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone is based on the life of Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor. The film was released on 10 January. It was declared tax free in Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.