English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

“Justice must be swifter for acid attack survivors”

Published

on

Dr Prathishta Trivedi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mumbai-based clinical psychologist Dr Prathishta Trivedi has specialised in counselling victims of violence. These include women who have faced acid attacks and who remain psychologically traumatised by this horrific act.  She addresses mental health issues for women and children in both government and private hospitals. On International Women’s Day, Rashme Sehgal interviews Dr Trivedi

What is the immediate trauma women face when acid is thrown at them? Can you describe this?

Immediately after the acid attack, the victim will suffer very, very intense physical and psychological trauma. The acid burns their skin. If it is thrown on the face, the eyelids, lips can burn, the nose and ears can shrivel and if they inhale the fumes, it will burn their insides, too. Acid burns you, the flesh melts and sticks together and the internal organs can get affected. If the scar tissue stretches and covers the nose, the victim has a problem in breathing. A victim can become unconscious though she will not die immediately. At the time of the attack, the psychological trauma is secondary.

What is the nature of the psychological trauma they experience?

Victims of acid attack suffer a complete loss of identity. When we look into the mirror, we see two eyes, a nose, a pair of lips. After the attack, the physical appearance gets significantly distorted and the individual finds it very difficult to adjust to this. After all, not only do they have to perceive themselves under the changed circumstances but outsiders, whether it is family or members of society, are also looking at them. The person feels very helpless. The first question they ask me when they come for counseling ‘why me’? They also realise just how little freedom they actually have. These victims tell me that they believed they had freedom over their lives and so, if they turned down a proposal or said no to getting married, they did so under the belief that they could do so. Not once did they realise they would be made to pay such a heavy price. Most of these victims belong to the 15-25 age group. Following the attack, they suffer recurrent nightmares; they cannot sleep; they are scared of stepping out of their homes. This post acid traumatic syndrome stays with them for a long time.

India is witnessing an increasing number of acid attacks and NGOs dealing with acid attack victims warn that the numbers went up to 1,600 attacks in 2016. The Acid Survivors Foundation India had collated from newspaper reports that there were 80 victims in 2010.

I do not know the exact numbers but many of these victims belong to the lower socio-economic sections though I would not like to generalise. Very few victims are able to come for individual counselling sessions. Some of these women will approach NGOs and human right organisations for assistance but mental health takes a back seat in their lives. That is very unfortunate because they all suffer from tremendous levels of depression and stress. Often, when NGOs call us to interact with these victims then they realise we are available to help them. I think only ten per cent of victims seek any kind of psychiatric assistance. It’s a very bleak situation.

You see, counselling is a long term intervention and can carry on for years. Mental health by law is not considered a necessity. The Supreme Court has directed that each victim be given Rs three lakhs and not be charged for medical treatment. Each of these victims often has to undergo 50 to 60  plastic surgeries for the face reconstruction. In a government setting, they are not charged and they seldom approach private hospitals for assistance.

How do the victims feel during this long process of reconstructive surgery?

The impact of the acid attack is for everyone to see.  Everyone knows what has happened. Unfortunately, the talk around them is very negative because people stop treating them the way they used to before the attack.

I would say these victims need rehabilitation; they need a job. I believe they lead very lonely lives.  They also suffer from an acute sense of fear.  Every time they meet people, they are scared they may be attacked again. Even when victims want to come out of it, people don’t allow them to do so. They are boxed into that experience because their entire life is being defined by the attack.

When they wear clothes or comb their hair, their attempt will be to cover their scars. Their physical, social and occupational life is defined by this. They need empathy, they do not need pity.

Are parents supportive of acid victims?

Parents are supportive but they are also helpless. Many of them suffer from a lack of resources and that can prove a major obstacle in helping the victim.

Why are shopkeepers still permitted to sell acid over the counter?

Our laws are not strict. For any law to be implemented, people must be willing to follow it. Shopkeepers have been asked to take the address of the person buying acid but this is not adhered to. Why should acid be available for shopkeepers? It should be available only in an industrial setting. But I know of an attacker who took out acid from a car battery. Another perpetrator took it out of an industrial setting. Justice needs to be much swifter in punishing the attackers.

What is the psychology of the attacker?

It’s an act of aggression, an act of passion. The perpetrator feels a sense of hurt and injustice and by throwing acid he believes he is getting justice. The perpetrator is performing an act of revenge over a perceived rejection by a woman. Sometimes it is done over a family fight. There are cases of men attacking other men but it remains largely a gendered form of violence.

There is an accusation that some NGOs misuse the funds they have collected in the name of acid victims?

It may be so in some cases. This amounts to adding insult to injury.

How has counselling helped acid victims?

It takes years for them to come out of the trauma, to gain peace of mind and become more empowered because they do feel a great deal of frustration. Doctors do reconstructive surgery but they cannot make the face and body the same as before and the person has to make peace with that. It’s a lot of acceptance. Once that happens, the adjustment process starts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Kerala LSS USS result 2026: Official website slow? Check how to download scorecard online

The Kerala CM Kids LSS USS result 2026 has been declared online. Here is a comprehensive troubleshooting guide and step-by-step process to download your scorecard if the official portal bpekerala.in is down or unresponsive.

Published

on

Results

The Kerala Public Examination Section has officially announced the Kerala CM Kids LSS and USS result 2026. The scorecard link is live for candidates who sat for the scholarship eligibility examinations conducted in February 2026.

However, shortly after the declaration, several students and parents encountered difficulties trying to log onto the main portal, bpekerala.in. Due to a massive surge in simultaneous traffic from eager candidates, the official website has experienced temporary server slowdowns, loading delays, and intermittent error screens. Media reports indicate that the portal might stay slow during peak hours, but authorities ensure that the result data is perfectly safe and live online.

👉 Click Here to Check Kerala LSS USS Result 2026

Why the Kerala LSS USS result website is slow

Technical glitches right after a major result declaration are quite common due to infrastructural limitations during peak traffic. Some of the primary factors contributing to the current loading errors include:

  • High visitor traffic: Thousands of students trying to load the homepage simultaneously.
  • Server overload: Simultaneous database requests leading to temporary unresponsive servers.
  • Mobile compatibility limitations: Heavy traffic coupled with certain mobile browsers causing slow rendering times.

Step-by-step guide to download Kerala LSS USS result 2026

If you are experiencing slow loading speeds on the primary web server, you can carefully try the following steps to download your marksheet:

  • Step 1: Navigate to the official website at bpekerala.in and let the landing page load completely without interrupting.
  • Step 2: Find and click on the link labeled “CM Kids LSS USS Result 2026” or head directly to the dedicated “Results” tab on the interface.
  • Step 3: Enter your accurate credentials, which include your Registration Number and Date of Birth (formatted as DD/MM/YYYY), precisely as mentioned in your original hall ticket.
  • Step 4: Click on the “Submit” or “View Result” button. If the screen takes time to process, avoid refreshing multiple times as it can block your session.
  • Step 5: Once your breakdown of scores appears on the dashboard, download the digital copy or capture a screenshot, then print a physical copy for any future administrative or school needs.

Alternative links and troubleshooting tips

If bpekerala.in fails to open entirely, candidates are advised not to panic. A backup official digital platform has been set up to ease the main server load. Students can log into pareekshabhavan.kerala.gov.in to access mirrored links for checking their LSS and USS scholarship scores.

Additionally, you can follow these easy technical fixes to bypass server bottlenecks:

  • Clear browser data: Empty your browser cache or open the link using an Incognito/Private window.
  • Change connectivity: Switch your internet connection from mobile data to a stable Wi-Fi connection, or vice versa, to reset data routing.
  • Switch your browser: Try alternative web browsers like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome instead of default system web viewers.
  • Check during off-peak windows: Wait for about 15 to 30 minutes and re-attempt during non-peak windows when server traffic naturally drops down.

Continue Reading

India News

Satellite imagery shows major cloud surge across India, weather alerts issued for multiple states

A massive collision between hot summer air and shifting moisture zones has triggered a yellow weather alert across India’s northern states, while southern regions prepare for an early monsoon burst.

Published

on

The weather dynamics over the Indian subcontinent are experiencing a dramatic shift. Recent thermal infrared space data has captured a massive atmospheric disturbance moving over the upper regions of Northern India, prompting weather authorities to declare warning alerts for several regions. Simultaneously, signs of seasonal wind shifts are rapidly accelerating in the southern parts of the country.

Himalayan states on alert for heavy downpours

According to data released by the state meteorological body, a yellow alert has been activated across various Himalayan states due to an eastward-moving weather system that is triggering unstable atmospheric conditions. Advanced INSAT-3DS tracking imagery shows a giant, spiral-shaped cloud cover spreading extensively over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Media reports confirm that these dense, cold cloud formations are the result of an active western disturbance colliding with hot pre-monsoon air masses over Northern India. The distinct bright white bands observed in the satellite visuals represent heavily developed thunderclouds. Experts warn that these formations have the capacity to trigger severe localized rain, heavy lightning, and intense hailstorms in the affected mountain zones.

Southern India braces for early monsoon arrival

While the northern mountains handle shifting cloud patterns, a completely different weather system is gathering strength in Southern India. Deep convective cloud formations are accumulating rapidly over the Arabian Sea, specifically near Lakshadweep and the Kerala coastline.

This specific cloud pattern points to an active surge of moisture moving from the equatorial Indian Ocean directly into the southern mainland, which serves as a major indicator that the southwest monsoon is arriving ahead of schedule. Official forecasts note that the onset of the seasonal rains could happen as early as May 26, bypassing the traditional June 1 timeline. This would stand out as one of the earliest recorded monsoon arrivals in recent years.

Intense heatwave collides with incoming moist air

The upcoming seasonal transition has sparked a complex environmental situation. Even as these rain systems intensify, large areas of Central and Northwest India continue to struggle under severe heatwave conditions.

This severe clash between the scorching, dry continental air over the central plains and the incoming moist marine currents is actively fueling violent, sudden thunderstorm activities further north. Analysts monitoring the real-time satellite maps observe a massive atmospheric tug-of-war, with heavy cloud shields expanding over both the Himalayan range and the Arabian Sea, signaling the official end of peak summer conditions across the nation. Looking ahead, authorities have issued warnings for isolated heavy to very heavy precipitation over Kerala between May 28 and June 3 as the moisture currents consolidate.

Continue Reading

India News

No uniform civil code provisions will be imposed on tribals, clarifies Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured tribal communities that the proposed Uniform Civil Code will not interfere with their customs, urging them not to be misled by misinformation.

Published

on

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday declared that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not impact tribal populations in any manner. He called upon the community to stay vigilant against “conspiracies” and misinformation circulating on the subject.

Addressing the Janjati Sanskritik Samagam—a tribal conclave organized by the Janjati Suraksha Manch at the Red Fort grounds to mark the 150th birth anniversary year of Birsa Munda—Shah stated that specific provisions have been implemented in states ruled by the ruling party to exclude tribal communities from the scope of the code.

Clarification on customs and traditions

The Home Minister highlighted that a deliberate narrative has emerged suggesting the proposed legislation would strip tribal societies of their distinct culture, traditions, and customary lifestyles.

He explicitly clarified that the central government has no intention of forcing UCC regulations upon tribal or Vanvasi communities. Shah pointed out that where regional administrations have initiated the code, care has been taken by the leadership to ensure that indigenous populations remain fully outside its jurisdiction. He requested attendees to disseminate this assurance deeply into forest zones and rural villages to erase lingering apprehensions.

Focus on security and community development

Beyond the legislative framework, Shah detailed the progress made toward curbing internal security threats, stating that the nation is steadily advancing toward eradicating Naxalism entirely. He noted that violent disruptions had severely restricted progress in these belts for decades, leading to the loss of thousands of tribal lives. According to the minister, regional stability will now pave the way for accelerated development across remote hills and forests.

The address also covered constitutional rights regarding personal faith. Shah mentioned that the original framework of the Constitution grants every citizen the dignity to practice their traditional beliefs without facing coercion, temptation, or material inducement for religious conversion.

Reflecting on financial allocations, the minister criticized earlier political administrations for keeping tribal welfare funding low. He underscored that the current administration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi significantly elevated the dedicated tribal budget from a previous Rs 28,000 crore to Rs 1.54 lakh crore. Terming the vast gathering a historical movement for cultural preservation, Shah described the societal awakening as a major step toward safeguarding tribal heritage for future generations.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com