‎Yasha Sobhan Honored with Mother Teresa International Peace Award 2026

‎Yasha Sobhan, Vice Chairman of Safwan Bashundhara Global (SBG), Director of Bashundhara Group and Chairman of Bashundhara Special Children Foundation, has received the Mother Teresa International Peace Award 2026 in recognition of her longstanding work to improve the quality of life of special-needs children and promote awareness of autism.
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‎She received the award in the “Outstanding Contribution to Autism” category at a ceremony organized by the SAARC Cultural Forum at a renowned hotel in Dhaka on Saturday (August 29).
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‎The award recognizes Sobhan’s sustained efforts, as chairman of the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation, to support the education, care and overall development of children with special needs. Her involvement in raising awareness, promoting inclusion, providing necessary support and creating opportunities for children with autism and other special needs was also highlighted through the recognition.
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‎Alongside her corporate leadership, Sobhan’s involvement in the welfare of special-needs children has emerged as an important aspect of her social responsibility initiatives.
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‎Established in 2017, the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation currently works for the education and development of more than 600 children with special needs. In addition to providing education and essential care, the foundation conducts various activities aimed at supporting the children's overall development.
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‎The foundation works to create opportunities for children based on their individual needs and abilities through education, therapy, skills development and initiatives aimed at helping them become more self-reliant.
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‎As chairman of the foundation, Sobhan remains actively involved in these initiatives.
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‎Her social engagement also extends beyond working with special-needs children. She is associated with the activities of a thalassemia treatment organization and supports various initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of people living with thalassemia.
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‎In addition, interest-free microcredit programs are being implemented as part of her social initiatives to strengthen the financial capacity of disadvantaged individuals and families and create opportunities for livelihood improvement.
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‎At the same time, Sobhan has played a role in creating new employment opportunities through initiatives led by Safwan Bashundhara Global to expand and diversify its businesses across various sectors.
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‎Her initiatives supporting children with special needs, people affected by thalassemia and disadvantaged communities reflect her broader involvement in social welfare and humanitarian development.
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‎The Mother Teresa International Peace Award 2026 marks an important recognition of Yasha Sobhan’s contributions to autism and the welfare of children with special needs. Beyond her personal achievement, the award has also brought greater attention to the ongoing work of the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation in education, care, therapy, skills development and creating opportunities for children with special needs to become self-reliant.
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‎Alongside her leadership roles at Safwan Bashundhara Global and the Bashundhara Special Children Foundation, Sobhan’s social initiatives are part of broader efforts to build a more supportive and inclusive society for special-needs children and disadvantaged people.