Come Sept 2019, I will be embarking on a self-sponsored 500+ km solo unsupported bicycle ride from Manali to Leh and Khardungla Pass to raise funds for an NGO called Make Love Not Scars (registered as Brave Heart) which focuses on rehabilitating acid attack survivors. 100% of funds raised here shall be donated to Make Love Not Scars and I will bear all expenses of the ride on my own.

Make Love Not Scars
Make Love Not Scars focuses on the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors from all walks of life. Acid attacks are a horrific crime which permanently alter the life of the person attacked. Not only does the corrosive substance damage the areas it touches, but also the survivors have the attack etched on their faces and bodies forever. Unlike victims of other horrific crimes, an acid attack survivor cannot deal with the trauma in the privacy of a trusted support group. Whoever sees the gruesome scars will know that there is a story behind it, which makes it virtually impossible for the victims to start afresh.

MLNS aims to provide dignity and independence to acid attack survivors from all walks of life by focusing on their complete rehabilitation. It offers five stages of rehabilitation:
Medical: By raising funds for surgeries, post-operative care and medicines
Legal: By connecting survivors with India’s leading pro bono lawyers
Educational: By funding traditional forms of education, vocational and skill training and hosting classes at MLNS rehabilitation centre in New Delhi
Financial: By connecting survivors with social entrepreneurs as well as teaching arts and crafts for survivors to run their own independent businesses
Psychological: By connecting survivors with various forms of therapists, psychiatrists, meditation and Yoga

MLNS also runs the world’s first rehabilitation center of it’s kind which aims to offer a safe haven for survivors as a place they can come to for love, guidance, friendships and freedom.

Take the case of Prisca, a brave and special woman, who was blinded by an acid attack by her husband. Her surgeries were funded by Make Love Not Scars (MLNS) at Fortis Hospital. Today, she has recovered her eyesight and is once again, able to care for her children.

Or the heroic Reshma, who struggled with depression and anxiety. Ria Sharma (who founded MLNS at the age of 21) personally called her up every day, speaking to her for hours. Reshma slowly became open to the opportunities that lay ahead of her and decided to be the face of the campaign #EndAcidSale. Today, she is a globally recognized figure, walked New York Fashion Week, went to Lebanon for an interview on Kalam Nawaem and has just signed a book deal with Pan Macmillan for an international release of her biography called Being Reshma.

And there is a long list of these valiant, fearless and inspirational women. MLNS has attended to 70+ acid attacked victims till date since its inception in 2014 and has launched impactful campaigns such as #EndAcidSale, 'SkillsNotScars' - to find employment for survivors 'PowerWalk' - fashion show with survivors walking the ramp.

Where will the funds be used?
The funds raised would be used for MLNS rehabilitation center, which is a halfway home for acid attack survivors. It is in New Delhi and can accommodate up to 6 survivors at a time. Survivors recover here post operations funded by MLNS, get legal and psychological aid, have safe shelter while studying or if attacked by their own family members and most importantly, the center is open to all survivors in Delhi on the weekends - where MLNS hosts english, computer and art and craft classes.

Once survivors undergo medical, legal and psychological rehabilitation, education, skill training and find jobs, they move out to live independent lives as contributing members of society and MLNS invites new cases to come and undergo rehabilitation.

Who am I?
I am Vivek Arora, 2018 MBA graduate from IIM Calcutta and a B.Tech. graduate in Information Technology. I work at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Mumbai) and consider myself to be highly privileged to have had the freedom and resources to pursue my passions.

Why am I doing this?
Sometime last year, I thought of blending my passion for travelling and adventure with my ambitions of contributing towards social welfare and cycled 4000kms from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to raise INR 2.2 lakhs for a NGO, which works for specially abled kids.

Travelling and adventure had changed my life for the better and I thought of helping it change the lives of other people as well. After all, what good is being a human if our actions don’t lead to the greater good?

I have always been in awe of courageous acid attack survivors. Just the thought of being in their position is enough to make me shudder and send chills down my spine. Yet these beautiful women continue to defy all odds and prying eyes of our society with unparalleled courage and drive to give life another shot. And thus, I have collaborated with 'Make Love Not Scars' in an effort to do a little something for the greater good. 

Request you to please donate and share if the cause resonates with you.