DHAKA, Feb 7, 2025 (BSS) – Bangla Sign Language Day-2025 was observed today with due dignity across the country.

The theme of Sign Language Day is 'One world, one language, we want universal sign language'.
On the occasion, the ministry of social welfare and various disability-friendly non-governmental organizations held various programmes including processions, discussions, and cultural event across the country.

Representatives of various districts, civil society, government and non-governmental organizations participated in these programmes.

Social welfare and women and children affairs adviser Sharmeen S Murshid at a function said that the basic and social rights of the speech and hearing impaired people should be ensured along with their development and dignity.

“They should be transformed into human resources in the country. They should be awakened by nurturing their qualities and putting their talents to work and giving them every opportunity and every work,” she said.

The function was organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the National Disability Development Foundation to mark the ‘Bangla Language Day 2025’ at Agargaon.

Taking new and effective initiatives to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of the disabled population is now the demand of time, the adviser said.

“It is necessary to take targeted action plan to provide effective treatment, education and training to the hearing and speech impaired. So far, more than 3.5 million disabled people have been identified in the country,” he added.

National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled has given financial support to 50 speech and hearing impaired students.

Out of these, five students are studying in class IX, 15 students in class X, 13 students passed SSC or equivalent level, 15 students passed HSC or equivalent level and two students passed Honours, Bachelor's, Master's or equivalent level.

Each of the students was given a grant of Tk 8000.

Seven government schools for the hearing impaired are being run across the country for education, training and employment of hearing impaired students.
 
The Disability Development Foundation has been running medical services, educational programmes, providing grants, facilitating employment scope, training, housing facilities, development fairs, etc. for all types of disabled people, including the speech and hearing impaired population.

On January 26, 2012, an inter-ministerial meeting unanimously designated February 7 as the national 'Bangla Sign Language Day'.

The sign language or symbolic language refers to a method of communicating by moving body parts, especially hands and arms.
Bagerhat District Social Services Office organized a colourful procession, exhibition, discussion and distribution of supporting materials on the occasion of 'Bangla Sign Language Day 2025' at 10 am here.
Ten wheelchairs were provided to 10 physically challenged students by the department. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Kamrul Hasan handed over those to them.

Naogaon Disability Service and Support Center organized a discussion meeting and painting competition at conference room of Deputy Commissioner.

Disabled and autistic children participated in the painting competition. Visually impaired students were also present. Deputy Director of Social Services Department Noor Mohammad presided over the programme and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Awal was present as the chief guest.

Satkhira District Administration and District Social Services Office organized a colourful procession to mark the day.

Later a discussion was held at the deputy commissioner’s conference room. Additional Deputy Commissioner Bishnupada Pal spoke as the chief guest, which was presided over by Deputy Director of District Social Services Office Santosh Kumar Nath.

A discussion meeting was held at the hall of Kushtia District Social Services Department office, organized by District Administration and Social Services Office.

Abdul Latif Sheikh, Deputy Director of Social Services Office chaired the meeting, which was addressed by Tafsirul Haque Moon, Deputy Collector (NDC) and Md Murad Hossain, Assistant Director of Social Services Office.

A colourful procession and discussion meeting was organized by Magura District Social Services Department. Later a discussion meeting was held at Deputy Commissioner's office.
 
Deputy Commissioner Md Ohidul Islam as the chief guest, which was presided over by Md Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director of District Social Services Office.

Tangail District Administration, Social Services Office, and Disability Services and Support Center organized a colorful procession and discussion meeting.

Bangali Sign Language Day was celebrated in Panchagarh through a procession and discussion meeting.