Government working to make disabled people self-reliant: Culture Minister

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has said that if the disabled are ensured proper facilities, they will also be able to make an important contribution to the development and progress of the country. The disabled are people with equal rights in society. They should not be treated as a burden on the family or society, but rather as skilled manpower. If the necessary facilities and support are ensured, they will also be able to play an important role in the development and progress of the country.

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the annual sports and cultural competition organized at the Autistic Handicapped School in Jangalia village, adjacent to Madhumoti Bridge in Mohammadpur Upazila of Magura on Friday (July 17).

Nitai Roy Chowdhury further said that the government is implementing various programs to integrate people with disabilities into the mainstream of society. To make them self-reliant, employment opportunities, training and various types of support programs are being continued, so that they can build a self-reliant life without being dependent on their families. As part of the government's sincerity for the welfare of the disabled community, the allocation for this sector has been increased in the current fiscal year's budget. At the same time, he assured to take necessary steps for the overall development of the autistic disabled school.

The program was moderated by the school's sports teacher Md. Sujan Mia and was attended by Mohammadpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bedwati Mistry, Upazila Muktijoddha Command Council Convener Bir Muktijoddha Principal (Retd.) Mohammad Matiur Rahman, Upazila BNP former Convener Principal Maimur Ali Mridha, Mohammadpur Thana Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shamim Ahmed, Kazi Salima Haque Women's College Acting Principal S. M. Yunus Ali, Upazila BNP former Member Secretary Dr. M. M. Rais Uddin, BNP leader Nazrul Islam, Dhwail Adarsh Secondary School Headmaster Md. Rafiqul Islam, Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Tariqul Islam and local dignitaries.

At the end of the program, the Minister of Culture distributed prizes among the winners of the annual sports and cultural competitions. He also handed over fogger machines, spray machines and sewing machines allocated by various ministries to the beneficiaries.