BSS :
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities and National Disabled Day-2021 will be observed in the country today as elsewhere in the globe with a call for ensuring participation of the people with disabilities to build a sustainable post-Covid-19 World.
The Social Welfare Ministry and its affiliated offices across the country have taken various programmes, including discussions and illuminating road islands, to observe the day in a befitting manner across the country.
Marking the day, national dailies will publish special supplements highlighting significance of the day.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting all people with disabilities, their families and organizations working for them.
Abdul Hamid appreciated the theme of the day, “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 World”, saying it has been appropriate against the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.
The President said it is imperative to integrate people with disabilities with the mainstream of development to ensure their empowerment.
‘People with disabilities, also inseparable part of the society, would be able to contribute to the national development if they are developed as skilled manpower through providing proper training and information technology knowledge with all civic amenities,” he said.
Referring to various government schemes taken for the development of the people with disabilities, Abdul Hamid urged people from all strata, including local and foreign organisations and the affluent section of society, to work together for the welfare of the people with disabilities.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured the equal rights of the all citizens, including the people with disabilities, in the Article 19 (1) of the Constitution.
She said the present Awami League government has taken various measures, including formulating different policies and setting up National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons and Neuro-Developmental Disabilities Protection Trust, to ensure the welfare of the people with disabilities.
