DHAKA, Dec 9, 2022 (BSS) - Today is the birthday of Dr Saima Wazed Putul, granddaughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and prominent nuclear scientist Dr M A Wazed Miah.

Saima Wazed is a dedicated personality at home and abroad for her activities and dedication for the welfare of differently able children. 

She is a licensed school psychologist. The only daughter of Sheikh Hasina is a member of the World Health Organization's 25-member Advisory Panel on mental health expert.

Saima organized the first South Asian conference on Autism in 2011 in Dhaka. She is the chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopment disorders. 

She campaigned for "Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of Autism Spectrum Disorders" resolution at the World Health Assembly which adopted the resolution. 

In November, 2016, Saima Wazed had been elected as chairperson of International Jury Board meeting of UNESCO for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. She was designated as WHO Champion for Autism in south-east Asia in 2017. 

In July, 2017 she became the Goodwill Ambassador of the World Health Organization (WHO) for autism in South-East Asia Region. She graduated from Barry University, USA.

Awami League (AL) greeted Saima on her birthday and wished her a prosperous life.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader in a greeting message said, today December 9 Saima Wazed, granddaughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born.

"She was born on this day in 1972. Saima was in long exile with her mother Sheikh Hasina after the barbaric murder of Bangabandhu and other family members. But braving all odds and obstacles she finished higher education," he said.

"Saima enriched her with self-power by a great vow to establish humanity and human rights freeing herself from lust of power and wealth," Quader said.

"She is a noble personality who has set a great example of devoting herself to the welfare of children with special needs," he further said. 

As a result of the autism movement led by Saima Wazed, children with special needs in this country have got the opportunity to join the mainstream, he added.

"Saima Wazed's single-minded efforts have proved that children with special needs are not a burden to the society, rather if given the opportunity, they can also develop intelligence, thinking, skills and can become beautiful in creativity," Obaidul said.

Terming Saima as a patriotic and humanitarian role model for the younger generation, Quader urged the countrymen to pray for her good health and long life.