Acid attack survivor Resham Fatma wins prestigious Chevening award
Acid attack survivor Resham Fatma has been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study at the London School of Economics. Her journey from a 2014 attack to academic excellence serves as a powerful example of resilience and social advocacy.
Why it matters
It highlights the success of survivors in overcoming severe trauma through education and serves as an inspiration for social justice movements.
In 2014, a 17-year-old schoolgirl in Lucknow was cornered, attacked with a knife, and doused in acid for saying "no" to a marriage proposal. Today, that same girl has forced the world to look past her scars and recognize her brilliance.On August 3, 2026, 29-year-old Resham Fatma was announced as a recipient of the UK Government’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship. She is headed to the world-renowned London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to pursue an MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation.Her historic win is more than an academic milestone—it is a masterclass in reclaiming one's life.The Midnight Assault and the Bharat AwardTwelve years ago, Resham’s life was altered in seconds. Her mother’s cousin, a man 20 years her senior, targeted her after she rejected his advances.
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