RAJSHAHI, April 2, 2022 (BSS) - Speakers at a discussion here on Saturday 
said the autistic and mentally retarded children could flourish their latent 
talents if they were properly cared, nurtured and provided with necessary 
opportunities.

They put special emphasis on creating adequate awareness among the pregnant 
mothers and parents to substantially reduce the risk of autism and physical 
disability of newborn babies for building a healthier society.

They were addressing the discussion organised by Rajanigandha Protibandhi 
Unnayan Sangstha (RPUS) at city bhaban conference hall in observance of the 
15th World Autism Awareness Day-2022.

"Make such a world: explore the talents of people with autism" is the main 
theme of the day.

Panel Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Shariful Islam Babu addressed the 
meeting as chief guest with RPUS President Asaduzzaman Chowdhury in the 
chair. 

RPUS Adviser Mehedi Hassan, General Secretary Sharmin Begum and members 
Pankaj Chowdhury, Iqbal Hossain and Shariful Islam also spoke. 
 
The speakers narrated the present situation on autism and disability in the 
country as well as in the district, country and the globe as a whole and 
cited various government steps for ensuring welfare of the autistic and 
physically challenged children.

Shariful Islam Babu said all government and non-government entities concerned 
should come forward and work together to ensure fundamental rights of the 
people with special needs through using the modern technologies.

He said people with neurodevelopment disabilities deserve the service and 
support to help them have normal and happy lives.
 
The present government has been working relentlessly for ensuring rights of 
people with disabilities including autism and their access to socio-economic 
activities like education and employment.
 
A total of fourteen ministries of the government are coordinating the issue 
of ensuring rights of people with disabilities, he added.
 
Besides, education programmes for the disadvantaged group, parent meeting, 
training for doctors, field-level health and social workers are being 
implemented in a coordinated way.
 
Sharif Babu thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed 
Putul for taking various steps in establishing rights of the autistic 
children and disabled people to ensure their education, treatment and other 
requisite facilities.