Mousumi Halder grew up in Majhdia, a small village in West Bengal. While she was still studying, she married, and two years later she had a baby girl and a happy, fun-loving family. When tragedy struck, her father became her strength. Unable to afford the hospital costs, he brought her home and took care of her himself, feeding and bathing her and dressing her wounds through a long recovery.
Mousumi Halder is a survivor from West Bengal whose story reflects courage and self-belief. A stove explosion while she was heating food for her daughter left her severely injured, and it cost her not just her health but her family too. At the Chhanv Foundation, she found fellow survivors, underwent surgeries and rebuilt her life one skill at a time. Topping her English course earned her the opportunity to represent her NGO in Spain. Today, Mousumi is financially independent and supports her family. Her message is simple: whatever comes your way, never give up.
The explosion left Mousumi’s torso severely injured. Only after 15 days, when the bandages over her eyes came off, could she see and recognise her family again. After five months in hospital, her father could no longer bear the costs and brought her home. Then came another blow: her husband had married another woman and told their four-year-old daughter that her mother had died. Scared of her own reflection, Mousumi could not bring herself to face her child. Her turning point came when she discovered a café of survivors on social media and realised she was not alone. At the Chhanv Foundation, she found sisters and a new beginning.
- Underwent 4-5 surgeries after joining the Chhanv Foundation.
- Trained in service skills, pastry making and nail art.
- Completed Hindi and English classes, topping her English course.
- Represented the Chhanv Foundation in Spain.
- Financially independent, taking care of herself and her family.