Sheroes Hangout is just a cafe if you look from the outside. Who is inside the cafe is today’s inspiration.
Very close to the dreamy wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra, this hangout is an example of dreams-come-true. A small café run by acid attack victims, this place lets its employees be who they are.
For an acid attack victim, nothing is normal. Not what the mirror tells or those stares from people. When the skin melts under the corrosive. a lot is lost. In that moment and then over multiple reconstructive surgeries and hospital visits. Will, confidence, hope and belief to add a few. The pain is unbearable – internal and external. Dreams die and ambitions take a plunge.
This hangout was set up to give these women a place that they can call their own. A place where they don’t have to hide their face behind a scarf. A place that can make them independent and also serve as an awareness to the public.
Inspiration is a beautiful thing. While people may forget how you look and what you wore, they never forget how you made them feel and how you touched their lives. Imagine how many people who know about the café or had a chance to visit this café would remember this. They will know that giving up on life is an easy option but to get back up and face the world is the right thing to do. However hard it may be, we need to always fight our demons and never let life defeat us.
If I ever get a chance to visit Agra, I will not miss meeting these lovely women who run the café. A bill paid there will be an investment for life.
I am blogging from A to Z during April and the theme I have chosen is set on women. I am also a minion on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance along with Claire, Shalini and Rajlakshmi. Visit us, show us some love and don’t leave without sharing your thoughts.
happiness and food 
What a fantastic place for women to hang out and be themselves without being judged. They already live with inner pain, and shouldn’t have to. thanks for sharing this story.
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What an interesting story you have told – thank you. It’s a nice place where you won’t be judged and stared at.
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Sounds like a great place full of inspiration.
Hope you get to visit.
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This is so wonderful! It is so sad that these women were attacked but so good that they find new hope and new dreams in the café. Your positive post raises awareness of acid attacks – which I knew little about except through your blog – but more importantly inspires people!
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There’s one here in Lucknow too. Hope I can visit it on my trip.
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Please do and share your experience with me. Would love to know 🙂
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What a wonderful place for women who’ve seen the ugly face of life, to be together, be each other’s strength and inspire the world that with inner strength one can move on in life.
Thank you for sharing this 🙂
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OH I missed this.. HAdnt heard of it. I have been to Agra but seldom here!
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Truly admirable. Are these the same girls who run a beauty Parlor too?
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The beauty parlour is in Lahore, Pakistan. I’m not sure if we have one in India as well.
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Parul this is really such a wonderful initiative! Nothing more heinous than that of this cowardly attack on innocent victim…. considered as acts of passion! Yes this is one place worth paying a visit!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
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It truly is inspiring. Acid attack victims are mostly totally innocent, and bear suffering for no fault of theirs. This cafe is giving them a chance to stay unhidden from the veil of shame, quite literally!
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Wonderful and I would definitely drop in there whenever I go next and take my daughter for sure too.
http://www.sunilavigauthor.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/shachi-and-indra-poem-in-two-parts.html
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I knew about this place and have seen it from outside. But didn’t know about it then. I came to know about it later. I haven’t been inside the cafe, though have gone to Agra quite many times, but will surely visit it during my next trip!
P.S: I keep going to Agra, quite often, coz that’s my hometown 🙂
Cheers
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You know what… going here someday would definitely be in my list. Had read about it but forgotten… your post is a timely reminder.
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Interesting. This post will inspire many to visit the cafe in Agra. Atleast it is on my list to visit
Thank you for sharing.
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What a fantastic initiative! Have been to Agra quite a few times , but was not aware of Sheroes Hangout. Would love to visit it.
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SHEROES truly lives to its name, inspiring and you provide a voice so beautifully:)
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This is one cause that I have been following and supporting for long. Every time I read the stories of sheroes my heart melts, I get goosebumps … but what I love the most is their undying spirit… the way the girls are trying to set up their business is so inspiring. Visiting Taj Mahal is now one step down the list.
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
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Thanks for sharing! I will make sure that I visit too 🙂
Amazing women!
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