MANTHAN – Rehabilitation for Acid Attacks Survivors.

Abstract

Manthan, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "churning" or "transformation is conceptualized as a comprehensive rehabilitation facility dedicated to supporting acid attack survivors through holistic healing, therapeutic recovery, and social reintegration. The project addresses the critical need for specialized rehabilitation infrastructure that acknowledges both the physical and psychological trauma experienced by acid attack survivors. Acid attacks represent one of the most violent and traumatizing forms of gender-based violence in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), approximately 228 cases of acid attacks were reported in 2018, with an estimated 1,000 unreported cases annually. The psychological impact on survivors extends far beyond physical scarring, encompassing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe social isolation, and complete loss of livelihood opportunities. The Manthan project responds to this critical gap in rehabilitation infrastructure by proposing a purpose-built facility that integrates medical care, psychological support, vocational training, and therapeutic environmental design to facilitate comprehensive healing and social reintegration of acid attack survivors.