I hated the word 'albino'

When Mala Bhargava was growing up, she found it hard to accept her appearance. Born with albinism, she had white hair and pale eyes and impaired vision. Her Indian mother was ashamed; she felt Mala's condition was a punishment. Mala hated being pointed at on the street and felt angry towards those who teased her. But the 1990s technology boom in India was to open up a whole new world for her. She began to write a successful column for a magazine and next to it was her picture. The face she had struggled to accept became recognisable across the country. She found fame, popularity and a new acceptance of how she looked.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Picture: Mala Bhargava Credit: Mala Bhargava