Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
Life is a beautiful journey where one should never stop under any circumstance. This is the motto folk dancer Rupali Nirapure follows to a T. Left blind after an acid attack by a crazed lover, Rupali did not allow this life-shattering incident to derail her dream. She continues performing and now there is a ray of hope that she will regain her vision.
" I saw doctors in Hyderabad, and they have expressed hope that thanks to new advances in technology, I might regain sight in one eye. The second round of consultation is in June," Rupali said, who has undergone eight reconstructive surgeries.
Standing behind her like a rock is her mentor Madan Lal Solanki. “She was tormented after the incident not only physically, but mentally and economically too. I could not bear the fact that such an extraordinary talent was going to be wasted. So I decided to help this kid. She became my student two months before the incident. She is such a brilliant dancer and choreographer that she got an opportunity to perform in a New York show with us.”
Rupali always remains positive and never lets any negative thoughts influence her. She said, “I wish that whatever happened with me should never happen to any person, but if you are a victim of such an incident then you should always try hard to find the ray of hope and happiness and continue doing what makes you happy.”
She said Solanki helped her financially and emotionally during her darkest hour. "My teacher and parents helped me and without their support, I wouldn't be where I am now," she said, adding that her teacher has promised to open an academy for her.
Her darkest day
On September 18, 2018, Rupali was happy as she was supposed to go to New York for a show a few days later. She stepped outside her house to go somewhere when Sonu, a stalker who wanted to marry her, threw acid into her eyes that blinded her permanently. Sonu was later arrested.
