Staff Reporter:
Mymensingh Zila Parishad on Friday distributed wheelchairs to underprivileged persons with physical disabilities and provided sports equipment to educational institutions, including schools for students with disabilities, as part of its social welfare and educational support initiatives.
The wheelchairs and sports equipment were formally handed over by Zila Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince at the council’s office in Mymensingh in the morning.
Among those present at the ceremony were Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Shah Kamrul Huda, Executive Officer Snigdha Das, teachers and students from the beneficiary educational institutions, and other officials of the council.
Speaking at the event, Prince said ensuring the rights of marginalised people is a hallmark of a civilised and humane state. He said persons with physical disabilities are not a burden on society but citizens with equal dignity, and it is the responsibility of all to help ensure they can lead independent and dignified lives.
He said the Mymensingh Zila Parishad has been working to support people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups, adding that the council would continue its assistance in education, sports, social security and public welfare initiatives.
The administrator also stressed the importance of sports alongside academic education, saying participation in games helps keep young people away from drugs, terrorism and crime while fostering discipline, leadership, patriotism and tolerance.
He further said efforts are underway to build a humane, welfare-oriented and discrimination-free Bangladesh in line with the 31-point state reform programme announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
