'I was told to bleach my skin to be beautiful'

Adam Maidment speaks to an aspiring model who has embraced living in Manchester

- 

WHEN Khushi Rastogi moved to Manchester from Bahrain just six months ago, she saw it as an opportunity to lead a life without fear or prejudice for the first time.

Khushi, 18, said she always grew up feeling insecure about herself. From a young age, she says members of her family would try and convince her to 'bleach' her skin in order to lose her 'dark and ugly' skin tone.

When she was offered a chance to study abroad in Manchester, Khushi, whose family are Indian, said she jumped at the chance to put the negativity behind her and start anew - and she also saw it as an opportunity to inspire others.

"I thought it would be a good decision to come here," Khushi told the Manchester Evening News. "I have been living in places where my identity is not celebrated and I am not even considered legal.

"It feels like I can just be myself here with more confidence without having to hide anything. I feel a lot more safe here."