BSS-35 Saima Wazed brings disabled people from darkness to light: Hasan

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ZCZC

BSS-35

HASAN-JOURNO-AGRI-AWARD

Saima Wazed brings disabled people from darkness to light: Hasan

DHAKA, Dec 19, 2020 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud
today said different programmes has been taken for the persons with
disabilities in the country by the prime minister’s worthwhile
daughter Saima Wazed.

“Once, people with disabilities used to be hidden. But, now parents
are thinking of educating about their disabled children to make them
self-reliant. Now, they (disabled people) are getting allowances in
different sectors, getting rewards and they are coming from darkness
to light,” he said.

The minister stated this while addressing a function on ‘Persons
with Disability in Agriculture, Research Finding Dissemination and
Journalist Award’ at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution
Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital.

The Leprosy Mission, ICCO Cooperation, NORC and Bangladesh Krishak
League jointly organized the function.

Congratulating the persons with disabilities, Hasan said it will be
an example as they are keeping role in agriculture sector after
winning their physical obligations. “Besides, I would like to
congratulate the journalists who made reports on them and who accorded
the reception for honoring journalists,” he added.

The minister said population has been increased for 2.5 times
during the last five decades and the agricultural land has been
decreased by 2 lakh acres in every year. But the agricultural
production has been increased for the time-befitting steps of the
present government, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general
secretary.

He put emphasis on agricultural land, on urban agriculture and
rooftop agriculture so that agricultural land is not wasted.

Krishak League President Agriculturalist Shamir Chanda, General
Secretary Advocate Umme Kulsum Smrity, MP, In-Charge of Field Services
Wing of Department of Agricultural Extension Mahfuz Hossain Mirdha,
Country Director of the Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh
Salomon Sumon Halder and Head of Programmes of country office
Bangladesh of ICCO Cooperation Abul Kalam Azad, among others,
addressed the function as special guests.

Referring to a research conducted recently, the speakers said that
86 percent people with disabilities and the people infected by leprosy
are engaged in agriculture sector and income of 88 percent people with
disabilities has been decreased during the prevailing COVID-19
situation. Besides, 22 percent persons with disabilities have married
off their daughters for reducing their family expenses, they added.

Later, the information minister handed over awards to journalists.

They are MH Rabin of the daily Amader Somoy, Md Abdullha Al Mamun
of Desh Rupantar, Nizamul Haque Bipul of Bangladesh Pratidin, Sheikh
Mahtab Hossain of Bhorer Kagoj, Mir Khairul Alam of Bijoy Bangladesh
and freelancer Ratan Malo from print media, Hasnat Rabbi of
Channel-24, Afrin Jahan of BTV, Tahsina Sadiq of DVC television, Ramiz
Ahsan of Jamuna television and Ferdows Arefin of GTV.

BSS/Asg/PSB/MRU/1934hrs