What happens if you were the target of a brutal acid attack, in which your close friend is killed and you are disfigured and badly injured? You lie in a hospital bed even as others continue their preparation for exams? Your story becomes the part of a school text book to teach young students about self confidence and bravery!
This is exactly what happened with Pranitha, the 20-year-old student of Kakatiya Institute of Technology in Warangal, who despite suffering 60% burns, survived to pass her final exam with flying colors.
The Andhra Pradesh state council for educational research and training has decided to include Pranita's story in to the text book on moral values for the sixth standard. The story, which speaks of Pranita's determination and perseverance, will be taught the next academic year, officials said.
It may be recalled that Pranita and her class mate K Swapnika were seriously injured when three anti-social elements threw acid at them. While Swapnika, the intended target of the attack died at a hospital in Hyderabad later, Pranita survived and during her stay in the hospital, continued her studies.
"Such was her condition at the time that she was not able to even turn the pages of her books. She would keep the book in front of her and I would turn the pages", recalled Pranita's mother Subhashini.
In a state of shock over her condition as well as the death of her close friend, Pranita appeared in the B.Tech final year exam and secured fifth rank. Though she has now recovered and able to move around, Pranitha keeps her face, head and hands covered as they bear the scars of the attack.
Pranita's grit and never say die spirit has attracted attention from many quarters. Software company Infosys has offered her a job which she has accepted.
The Telugu Association of North America has also offered to bear the entire cost of her treatment in the United States. Komati Jayaram, president-elect of TANA said that when Pranita will be taken to the US for treatment will depend on her medical reports. Pointing out that TANA had ten thousand doctors as it members, Jayaram said that arranging treatment for Pranita in the US would not be a problem. The cost of her treatment in Hyderabad was borne by the state government.
