The Kerala government in this year's vote on account has set aside more than ₹90 crore for Mazhapolima, a rainwater-linked well recharge scheme. It has worked because it has been community-driven and participatory, planning is bottom-up and led by panchayats, while the state government facilitates. It is a process-oriented programme encouraging innovation and diversity. Setting up a household system is inexpensive. As a result, groundwater levels have improved significantly in Thrissur.

Without adequate medical, psychological or legal support to help in their healing, several survivors of acid abuse are falling through the cracks of the justice system. Now, instead of waiting to navigate this system, many are focusing on recovering on their own terms. What's more, they are pro-actively creating solutions for other survivors.

Majeed is like any other nineteen year old, checking out girls, posting selfies on Instagram and flexing his abdominals at the drop of a hat. But the closer you get to him, the more you learn about the rivers and forests he has crossed to get to where he is. For a young boy it has truly been a long way from Syria to Berlin and sadly the journey has just begun.