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

Om Podcasten

Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years. Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice