Bengaluru: This twenty-eight-year-old mother of two has literally gone through hell, but has emerged much stronger. “I did not believe that a man I trusted would do such a thing to me. By God's grace I am alive today,” said Ulfat Banu.
September 19, 2014 was a horrific day for her and she still remembers it by the minute. “I had gone to the hospital as my daughter was sick. When I came back, my husband, who had not come home for four days, was waiting. My father signalled me not to enter the room as he knew something was wrong,” she recalled.
Her husband had evil plans. On realizing that she won’t enter the room, he came out with a pitcher filled with acid. “Since my father asked me not to enter, I had turned back. The acid fell on my back and sides and neck and part of my face," she said.
Since then life has been a struggle. Ulfat was immediately brought to Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield, where she was given primary first aid. Since it was a police case and she was facing financial difficulties, she was later shifted to Victoria Hospital. After four days of treatment at Victoria, Ulfat decided to move back to Columbia Asia. During her stay at Victoria, the government had provided her Rs 1 lakh for the treatment.
“I was contemplating suicide, as I felt that I had nothing to look forward to. My husband was arrested, but because I felt my children would be without a father I got him cleared of the charge,” said Ulfat. Despite being a victim of a gruesome act, she decided to face life's challenges. “I decided that I would live for my daughters and for myself. Allah will protect me as I am a good woman,” she added.
“When she came to the hospital, the right side of her face, neck and chest, till the upper part of her breast, was charred by the acid. The surgery went on for 3-4 hours, where we first removed the dead tissues and charred skin from her face, neck and chest. We then performed skin grafting using skin from her thighs. The surgery went well and we discharged her 5 days after the operation. She needs a reconstructive surgery of her ear which was burnt due to acid attack,” said Dr. Sandhya Balasubramanyam, Consultant, Columbia Asia, Whitefield. “My children were so scared to come near me because of the scars and marks and my disfigured body,” she recalled.
Now, over six months after that incident and the treatment that followed, Ulfat feels confident and determined to stand on her own feet. “I have done a beautician’s course and I cannot give up on life. I plan to open a parlour, but I do need funds and I am trying to mobilise them. My children are studying in English medium schools and I am focusing on their education as well," she said.
At just 28 years of age, she has faced it all - a bad marriage, domestic violence, acid attack and financial crunch. But Ulfat Banu has bravely battled these ordeals and is pursuing her dream to open a beauty salon in the city. Today, she lives and dreams for her two daughters (11 and 8 years of age). She truly can be an inspiration to many.
