DHAKA, Feb 5, 2019 (BSS) – Sajid Alam, an autistic child, returned home on Monday night with joy and happiness as he was entertained by the ‘Sarika Fantasy Amazing World Park’ in the 24th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city.
He visited the fair ground with his father M Jahangir Alam and younger brother M Abid Alam and was entertained by the fantasy park with free rides of different types, including Nagar Dola and Music Boat, for the autistic children.
“Like every year, my two children and I visited the fair ground on Monday. Both of the children enjoyed the fair very much, but for Sajid, it was special as he got hospitality at the Sarika Fantasy Park,” said Jahangir Alam, a businessman of the Bashundhara City, while talking to BSS.
He appreciated the authorities concerned for taking the initiative for the special children, saying such activities help increase the communication skills of the children.
Like Sajid, around 50-70 autistic children are taking the opportunity to cheer up themselves every day. Some energetic youths have been engaged to help the children to get up and down different rides in the park.
Talking to BSS today, Mahbubur Rahman Polash, CEO of the park, said the park is offering free entertainment to autistic children at DITF for the sixth time.
He said, “I started amusement park at DITF in 2012. At that time, no autistic child was allowed to get on the rides. I was hurt to notice the discrimination among children. From then on, I offered free rides for autistic children at DITF.”
Polash said he is providing the opportunity to the autistic children by taking inspiration from the world renowned autism activist Saima Wazed Putul, the daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a member of World Health Organization’s 25-member Expert Advisory Panel on mental health.
“If Saima Wazed Putul can work for autistic children, why can’t I? . . . So, I started my work from my small scope,” he added.
Urging all walks people of all strata to stand beside the children, Mahbubur Rahman Polash said he is happy to see the cheerfulness of the autistic children through his little work.
“I will provide the opportunity further in the upcoming fair through modern technology with the support of different autistic institutions and media activists,” he added.
He informed that Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi visited the Sarika Park on Sunday and spend some time with autistic children.
Glair International School, Adi Bangla, Asian Textile and many other organizations have offered gift items to autistic children during the fair. EPB has rewarded the owner of the park three times for giving the autistic children the opportunity of free entertainment in the trade fair.
The month-long DITF began from January 9 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, adjacent to Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), in the city showcasing eye-catching products of local and international companies. A total of 550 stalls and pavilions including 60 premium pavilions, 38 premium mini pavilions, 20 reserved pavilions for women, 26 foreign pavilions, 18 general pavilions and 22 food stalls have been set up in the fair venue.
Different organisations from India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Iran and Swaziland are participating in the fair.