Living a stigmatised life

Islamabad
It was really a painful experience to be at a function arranged by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to honour the courage of the women who have suffered worst at the hands of their own dearest ones and barely managed to survive the deadly acid attacks.
And it was even worse to know that these survivors of the acid attacks were still being openly and ruthlessly humiliated and reminded of their ugliness without a glimmer of sympathy by these people who are getting fat pay cheques and enjoying all luxuries of life free of cost from the money they are actually getting from the donors in the name of saving, treating, supporting and rehabilitating the victims of acid attacks.
The best and the most heart-warming side of the whole function and the meeting and interaction later with these ladies made me realise that they have refused to get bogged down by the cruel and inhuman behaviour of people around them.
In fact, they have struggled (and continuing to do so) and have emerged even stronger to face society and lead a decent and meaningful life with dignity and their pride intact.
They were the first ones to arrive for the function on that particular day at that particular venue. In fact they were brought by the organisers in the cheapest mode of transportation available in the market.
But they were excited and happy that the day and the function belonged to them. They chattered and laughed almost incessantly. Being the first ones to arrive at the venue, they occupied the seats in the front row in facing the stage, believing that was their rightful place, for the day. They were switching seats to be closer to those known to them during their days of trauma.
The officials of the NGO, who made sure their presence at the function, were visibly avoiding looking at those ugly, disfigured faces and pretended to be busy in the organisational matters, staying away from them.
But the excitement and happiness of these acid attack survivors was short-lived.
Soon they were hit by the first bolt of bitter reality when one asked for a glass of water.
“Oh please! Sit down. You have just entered the hall and have started demanding things. Haven’t you had such a good breakfast already? Sit down. You will get everything at the right time,” an official of the NGO almost snarled at the poor lady.
She quietly retreated. Her face was too disfigured to reflect any emotions. The perpetrator who offloaded this humiliation upon her never realised how badly she had hurt the ‘survivor’ through these remarks spoken in a tone filled with tangible irritation only because she was too busy making herself up to look the prettiest one around at that moment. As if she was about to participate in a beauty contest!
But this was not all, the poor lady had to deal with. As the ‘survivor’ retreated to her seat, she was openly laughed at and mocked by those of her own kind, as the other ‘survivors’ taunted her over her daring attempt.
But there was further humiliation to befall them en bloc! The guests started arriving in the hall. The organisers rushed out towards them and guided them to the front rows. The survivors were asked to move to the side to make room for the ‘honourable guests’.
The ‘survivors’ moved quietly. And it was not long that they were pushed to the flank.
But more was in store for these ‘survivors’ in honour of whom the function was arranged and the day was being observed to praise the courage they have shown against cruelty they were subjected to.
More guests arrived in the hall. There were many pretty girls in this group. Smartly dressed, wearing appropriate makeup and smelling so nice.
The ‘survivors’ were asked to move to the second row. They quietly moved in a file to take the seats in the second row. But again made the lethal mistake of occupying the seats facing the stage.
More guests arrived. More pretty and normal ladies and men entered the hall. Soon the seats in the front row were fully occupied. The NGO women and men and their guests were to be accommodated appropriately. According to the level of their beauty and their positions (beauty comes first).
The acid attack survivors, who seemed confident some minutes earlier, subconsciously started covering up their ugly faces. They shrunk down in their seats. Probably trying to become invisible!
Soon the ‘important guests’ have filled the front row and needed to be accommodated in the second row of seats.
The ‘survivors’ were ‘ordered’ to clear the second row too. “Quick. Clear the seats. Guests have to be seated. Hurry, hurry!”
The acid attack survivors, whom the day belonged, and for whom the function was arranged, were soon dumped unceremoniously in the third row. The humiliation was overwhelming now. They have gone absolutely quiet. They have lowered their heads and were trying to cover their faces completely now. They were ‘ugly spots’ in a pool of beauty and swirling fragrance.
The ‘chief guest’, a gorgeous lady, expensively dressed and professionally made up, floated in the hall. Everybody was impressed. The head of the NGO seemed to be willing to be on his hands and knees to please the ‘honourable chief guest’.
As soon as the regal ‘chief guest’ has taken her seat the function was set rolling according to the laid down procedure. “The ‘acid survivors’ were invited to the stage as proudly as a ‘hunter’ would present the ‘trophies’ he has shot.
The victims came one by one and uttered the well-phrased sentences taught to them, made the right gestures, and presented the right ‘views’ of their ugliness.
The ‘honourable chief guest’ flinched and tried not to look at those ugly, disfigured faces. In the end, she praised the ‘excellent work’ done by the NGO and promised to support them in their future endeavours. Nothing for the ‘acid attack survivors’!
The ‘refreshments’ were thrown open. The NGO staff members have quickly formed their groups accordingly to attack the tables. The ‘acid attack survivors’ quickly filled their plates and took to a corner facing the wall. Probably fearing that somebody will come and snatch away the plates from them!
The NGO officials were too busy taking ‘selfies’ and updating their social media accounts to make sure that their attendance of the function may not be missed by the world.