“They Stole My Eyes, But Not My Dreams" – Acid Attack Survivor Kafi Tops CBSE Class 12 With 95.6%, Aims for IAS

17-year-old Kafi wants to study Political Science Honours from Delhi University and hopes to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

In a heartening story of grit and determination, 17-year-old Kafi, a student at Sector 26's Blind School, Chandigarh, has headed her school in the Class 12 board examinations with a commendable score of 95.6 per cent. A survivor of an acid attack, Kafi hopes to take a Political Science Honours degree from Delhi University and become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

Kafi was attacked with acid when she was only three years old by three neighbors who lived in the village of Budhana in Hisar district of Haryana due to jealousy. Kafi suffered third-degree burns on her face and arms and lost her eyes due to the attack. Nevertheless, Kafi did not lose hope and continued struggling to fulfill her ambitions.

But utilizing audiobooks as her major source of study, Kafi worked hard at pursuing her studies and had previously attained 95.2% in her Class 10 examinations.

Kafi was attacked with acid on Holi festival day in 2011 in her home village of Budhana. In an exclusive interview, Kafi explained to India Today that three of her neighbors threw acid on her. Although she received initial treatment at AIIMS Delhi, doctors told the family that her eyesight could not be restored. "The doctors saved my life, but not my eyesight," she explained.

Her educational journey started in her village, and she turned her path around when, in the sixth grade, she was accepted to the Blind School in Chandigarh. Since then, Kafi has worked consistently towards her educational goals, always heading her class.

Kafi's father, a contractual peon at the Mini Secretariat, Chandigarh, was filled with pride at her success. Kafi has already given the entrance exam for Delhi University and hopes to gain admission.

Unfortunately, even though the crime was so heinous, the perpetrators of the acid attack are still not brought to justice. "The people who did this to me are still walking freely," Kafi said.

Meanwhile, Sumant and Gursharan Singh, also Blind School students, bagged the second and third places with 94 per cent and 93.6 per cent marks, respectively.