Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanges greetings with one of the participants of the World Autism Awareness Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all not to neglect the autistic and physically challenged people as they belong to this society.
“I’ll urge all the healthy citizens of the society to be more sympathetic to the autistic and physically challenged people and extend the hand of sympathy to them,” she told a function marking the 8th World Autism Awareness Day.
The social welfare ministry organised the event in collaboration with the health and family welfare, and education ministries at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.
Various programmes have been implemented for the development of the autistic and physically and mentally challenged people so that the parents of those do not feel helpless, said the PM.
Autism, she insisted, is not a disease at all; rather it is a variety of creation. She called upon all to ensure inclusion of physically challenged people in the country’s development activities.
Though there is a negative attitude to autistic children in society, they have nothing to do with the disabilities, she pointed out. “The soft minded children affected with autism could also be invaluable resources of the country if they are properly nourished.”
In this connection, she said many famous personalities, including Einstein, Darwin, Newton, William Butler Yeats, and Stephen Hawking were autistic by birth, but autism could not be an obstacle to their talents.
The Awami League-led government has already enacted the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities and their Protection Act, 2013 for ensuring the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, noted the PM.
Stressing the need for educating and bringing physically and mentally challenged children into the mainstream of society, Hasina said a special integrated education policy has been adopted to this end under which about 10,000 mentally challenged students are getting access to some 50 educational institutions.
The activities of international autism expert Saima Hossain have already been acclaimed by the world community. In recognition of her contributions, Saima has been awarded the Excellence in Public Health Award which has boosted Bangladesh’s image, mentioned the premier.
Health Minister Mohammed Nasim spoke as a special guest at the programme, chaired by Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali.
A special video message of Saima Hossain was screened at the function. Saima, prime minister’s only daughter, is the chairperson of the national advisory committee of the Global Autism Public Health Initiative in Bangladesh.
Promod Mankin, state minister for social welfare; Md Mojammel Hossain, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on social welfare ministry; and Nasima Begum, social welfare secretary; also spoke.
Later, the PM enjoyed a cultural programme.
Source: The Daily Star
