Priya’s Shakti – Priya’s Mirror

Joining them is Monica Singh, who shares her resilient story from surviving a brutal acid attack to becoming a fashion designer and UN Women’s Global Youth Champion, “As one of the characters in Priya’s Mirror, and through my own endeavors; I hope to inspire other women, who have gone through similar violent attacks, to find courage and confidence.” Also featured in the comic is Natalia Ponce de Leon, who had a liter of sulfuric acid thrown over her face and body by a man who she had never spoken to in Bogota, Colombia. She adds, “Priya’s Mirror not only portrays the courage and beauty of us acid attack survivors, but it also serves as a highly creative tool to educate younger generations about gender equality.”

Commenting on the interactive exhibition at Lincoln Center, Founder & CEO of Blippar, Ambarish Mitra said, “We are thrilled to partner on the latest edition of their series, Priya’s Mirror,and bring the issue of sexual violence to the forefront, via this blippable, augmented reality comic book. The augmented reality element allows readers to feel more connected with the survivors. Technology is being used here as the vehicle of engagement driving impactful social-change and this is extremely powerful.”

Inspired by ancient mythological tales, the comic book tells the story of Priya—a mortal woman and gang-rape survivor—who join forces with a group of acid attack survivors as they fight against the demon-king, Ahankar, and his tyrannical hold on them. “Priya is a new path-breaking and powerful symbol,” adds Dan Goldman, “originally a response to the horrible ’Nirbhaya’ gang-rape that happened on a bus in New Delhi in 2012. It is important to create solidarity between survivors of gender-based violence and to encourage men and boys to stand alongside women against patriarchy, misogyny and indifference.”