GAIBANDHA, Dec 3, 2024 (BSS) - The 33rd International and 26th National Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed in the district as elsewhere in the country and the globe today with a call to bring the persons with disabilities into the mainstream of development to build discrimination-free Bangladesh.

Marking the day, the district administration and Department of Social Services in association with Jatiyo Samaj Kalyan Parishad and Jatiyo Protibandhi Unnayan Foundation chalked out the elaborate programmes.

In the morning, a post-rally discussion on the importance of the day was held at the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC) here with deputy director of the department Fazlul Haque in the chair.

AKM Hedayetul Islam attended the function and addressed it as the chief guest on behalf of DC Chowdhury Muazzam Ahmed. Civil surgeon Kaniz Sabiha and additional police super Abdullah Al-Mamun spoke at the event as special guests.

District primary education officer Md. Nobez Uddin, district disability affairs officer Aktar Hossain and Sadar upazila social services officer Nasir Uddin addressed the meeting, among others.

The speakers, in their speeches, said as the people, including the children with disabilities are inseparable part of the society and the human diversity, so it is imperative to integrate people with disabilities to ensure their empowerment.

The ADC, in his speech, said holistic and collective efforts for both and private organizations have become an urgent need for ensuring fundamental rights and friendly atmosphere of the persons with disabilities in the society.

Later, wheel chairs received from JPUF were distributed among the persons with disability.

Earlier, a grand rally was brought out from the premises of district social services office that ended at DC office premises after parading the main roads of the town here.

A large number of people, including government officials, NGO activists, people with disabilities and their guardians participated in the programmes.