Dainik Mathabhanga, November 28, 2019,
Staff Reporter: An assembly for persons with disabilities was held in Chuadanga. With the slogan "Let’s build an inclusive society together — a safe shelter against gender-based violence, child marriage, and social irregularities", the event was organized by Protyasha Social Development Organization with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, funded by UKAid.
The event took place on Wednesday at 9 AM at the open stage of the District Shilpakala Academy. It began with a cultural program, followed by the national anthem, flag hoisting, and the release of balloons to inaugurate the assembly.
Protyasha Social Development Organization’s Executive Director Billal Hossain presided over the discussion. The Holy Qur'an was recited by Abdul Karim. The chief guest was Deputy Commissioner Nazrul Islam Sarkar, who emphasized that no nation can develop by leaving behind people with special needs. He said every individual is equal and that extra attention must be paid to ensure facilities for people with disabilities, especially in education. He encouraged schools to include children with disabilities alongside others and called for creating employment opportunities for them through training, instead of promoting dependency through begging.
Special guest Dr. ASM Maruf Hasan, Civil Surgeon of Chuadanga, announced that one bed in every ward of the Chuadanga Sadar Hospital would be reserved for people with disabilities and promised that all their medical expenses would be waived.
Mayor Obaidur Rahman Chowdhury Jipu pledged to include all persons with disabilities in the municipal disability allowance program and to make Chuadanga a disability-friendly city. He also committed to prioritizing services for people with disabilities.
Other special guests and speakers included:
- Santosh Kumar Nath, Deputy Director, Department of Social Services
- Nikhil Ranjan Chakraborty, District Education Officer
- Mostafizur Rahman, District Primary Education Officer
- Masum Ahmed, Deputy Director, Department of Youth Development
- Abdul Awal, Deputy Director, Department of Women Affairs
- Dipak Kumar Saha, Deputy Director, Family Planning
- Masudur Rahman, Inspector (Operations), Sadar Police Station
- Khairul Islam, District Disability Affairs Officer
Representatives from various institutions and organizations also spoke, including:
- Kamruzzaman, Manager, Standard Bank Ltd.
- Nuruzzaman, Vice President, Islami Bank Ltd.
- Abdul Latif, Division Officer, Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd. and MyOne Electronics
- SM Israfil Hossain, Former Principal, Chuadanga Govt. Women's College
- Abdus Salam Biplob, Chairman, Chitla Union Parishad
- Ali Hossain Jowardar, Chairman, Begumpur Union Parishad
- Anwar Hossain, Head Teacher, Hijolgari Secondary School
- Sainul Hossain Biswas, Head Teacher, Suhrawardy Smarani Vidyapith
- Zahir Rayhan, Deputy Director, Wave Foundation
- Ilias Hossain, Executive Director, Palli Unnayan Sangstha
- Sahed Hasan Halim, Legal Coordinator, Atmobishwas
- Saidur Rahman Lipu, Executive Director, Grameen Samaj Unnayan Sangstha
- Kamruzzaman, Executive Director, Compact Foundation
- Moinul Islam, Executive Director, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha
- Abed-ud-Doula, Executive Director, WARP
Persons with disabilities who spoke included Zahidul Islam, Taslima Khatun, Jannatul Ferdous, Sultan Badsha, and Suravi Sultana.
Saidur Rahman, Coordinator of Protyasha, delivered the welcome speech, and the event was conducted by Yunus Ali, Project Coordinator of Protyasha’s PRPD project.
In the third segment of the event, chaired again by Billal Hossain, there were discussions on:
- The Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013 by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Yah Iya Khan
- Facilities for people with disabilities by Santosh Kumar Nath
- Health services and employment by Khairul Islam
The event was supported by:
- Rajin Salman, Program Officer, PRPD Project
- Rubina Khatun, Project Accountant
- Sajedul Islam, Saidur Rahman Rana, and Abdur Rahman, Field Volunteers
