International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed

In GaibandahaA discussion was held by district administration and Department of Social Services at the auditorium in the town marking the day, reports our correspondent. Speakers at the function said the persons with disabilities would have to be developed as worthy citizens of the country through providing them with all facilities including healthcare, education and employment. Deputy Commissioner (DC) M Abdus Samad addressed the meeting as the chief guest and additional DC (General) M Shamsul Azam was present as the special guest. With deputy director of the department SMS Akram Hossain in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by disable affairs officer of Integrated Disability Service Centre Mehedi Hasan, head teacher of Gaibandha Intellectually Disable and Autistic School M Idris Ali Sarker and journalist Sarker M Shahiduzzaman. DC M Abdus Samad said the present government implemented various programmes since 2009 to link the disable persons with disabilities with the mainstream of the society for overall development of the nation. The DC also emphasized on ensuring congenial atmosphere to make an end to discrimination against the persons with disabilities to enable them leading a decent life.In FaridpurSocial Services Department in association with several NGOs observed the day with the slogan 'Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want' through holding a rally and discussion meeting. Speakers at the discussion stressed the need for changing the mind-set towards the physically challenged people and helping them to contribute to the national development. DD of Social Services ASM Ali Ahsan chaired the meeting while DC Umme Salma Tanzia was present as the chief guest. DC Tanzia, in her speech, said the present government is spending huge amount of money for the challenged and neglected people of society that projects the outlook of this people-friendly administration, reports BSS. She called upon the private organizations and corporate houses to allocate special job quotas for the people with disabilities. The DC said her office would look into problems of the disabled humanely. The meeting was told that 5880 disabled people are getting allowance from the government at the rate of Taka 500 each.In RajshahiEnsuring congenial atmosphere to make an end to discrimination against the people with disabilities and special needs has become an urgent need to enable them leading a decent life. The physically challenged people should be termed as the integral part of the society and time has come to bring them into the mainstream of the society for overall development of the nation. The observations came in a post-rally discussion held in conference hall of Shishu Academy in the city today. Department of Social Service (DSS) and District Administration jointly organised the discussion in observance of the International and National Disabled Day-2016, reports BSS. "Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want" was the main theme of the Day. Various organisations working for elevating living and livelihood condition of the persons with special needs joined the programme. Akhter Jahan, MP, and Social Worker Shaheen Akter Rainy addressed the meeting as the chief and special guests respectively with Parvej Raihan, additional deputy commissioner (Education and ICT), in the chair while Deputy Director of DSS Rubina Yeasmin welcomed the participants.In ChittagongNational Disable Day was observed with several functions under the auspice of District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) of the district. The programme included rally, discussion, cultural function and drawing competition.In ThakurgaonA discussion was held at the auditorium Social Services Department in the morning, said our correspondent. Deputy Comissioner Abdul Awal attended the programme as chief guest while among others Additinal Deputy Comissiner Jahurul Islam,  former upazila chairman Tahmina Molla on the ocassion. Social Services Department Deputy Director Sarder Tariqul Islam presided over the function. A cultural function participated by physically challenged people was also held. The day was also observed in many other districts including Noakhali, Madaripur, Feni, Bhola, Shariatpur, Panchgarh, Brhmanbaria, Comilla and Khulna.