The girl from Jharkhand becomes the first Indian acid attack survivor selected to study at the London School of Economics. Her journey reflects courage, education and public service.
NEW DELHI — Resham Fatma, a 29-year-old acid attack survivor from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, has become the first Indian acid attack survivor to receive the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, a fully funded award offered by the UK government. The scholarship will allow her to pursue a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), one of the world’s leading universities.
The achievement marks a major milestone in the life of Resham, who has spent the past decade rebuilding her life after surviving a horrific acid attack. Her story has become an example of courage, determination and the power of education.
Sharing the news on social media, Resham wrote, “I had carried this dream in my heart for many years. Today, I can finally share it with the world.”
For Resham, reaching one of the world’s top universities was not just about receiving an admission letter. It was the result of years of struggle, hard work and refusing to let one violent incident decide her future.
Nearly ten years ago, an acid attack changed her life forever. Instead of giving up, she chose to continue her education and build a new future.
She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) before earning a Master’s degree in Political Science with a specialisation in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Looking back at her journey, Resham recalled the difficult years after the attack.
“There were countless moments after the attack when giving up seemed much easier than moving forward. But every time life pushed me down, I chose to stand up again,” she said.
Her journey from JMI to JNU and now to LSE shows how education can help rebuild lives after tragedy.
Resham’s work has not been limited to academics. She is also the founder of the Ibrah Foundation, an organisation that supports girls and women by helping them access education, career guidance and leadership opportunities.
Through mentoring programmes, educational initiatives and community outreach, she has worked with students from diverse backgrounds and encouraged young women to pursue higher education.
She has also participated in media and public engagement programmes to raise issues affecting marginalised communities. Her work focuses on education, gender equality, youth leadership and social inclusion.
Her courage has already been recognised at the national level. In January 2015, she received the National Bravery Award from the President of India. A month later, she was honoured with the Rani Lakshmi Bai Bravery Award by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Resham believes the Chevening Scholarship is not only a personal achievement but also a message of hope for many others.
“I am the first acid attack survivor from India to receive the Chevening Scholarship. I see this opportunity not only as my own success but as a message for every girl who has ever been told that her dreams are bigger than her place in society,” she said.
Calling the scholarship the beginning of a much bigger journey, she added, “This is not the destination. It is only the beginning of a much bigger purpose.”
As she prepares to leave for London, Resham says she carries much more than academic ambitions. She is taking with her the lessons of a decade-long struggle, years of community service and the hope that her journey will encourage others to believe that difficult circumstances may change the direction of life. Still, they do not have to decide its destination.
Resham’s success has also been welcomed by many on social media, where people have praised her determination and resilience. Her achievement is being seen as an important moment for survivors of acid attacks and for young women from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to higher education.
With her admission to the London School of Economics under the Chevening Scholarship, Resham Fatma has added another important chapter to her inspiring journey—one that began with tragedy but has been shaped by education, perseverance and a commitment to helping others.
