The 16th World Autism Awareness Day with the theme Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All" will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe today (Sunday).
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2 as the World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the needs to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder.
This year, the day will be celebrated across the country through colorful programmes and special supplements will be published in daily newspapers.
In honor of persons with autism, blue lighting will be arranged at the Ministry of Social Welfare and its departments and agencies, various institutions and important government buildings, said a release.
Blue tightening will also be arranged in the Bangladeshi embassies and missions abroad while discussion will be organised in each district, according to social welfare release.
To mark the day, the Ministry of Social Welfare will organise a discussion and cultural programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) tomorrow.
Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed will addressed the function as chief guest while state minister for social welfare Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Social Welfare Rashed Khan Menon will address as special guest on the occasion with secretary to social welfare Jahangir Alam in the chair.
In the programme, the ministry will confer special honor to ten individuals and three organizations in five categories for their special contributions to Autism this year.
In category-A, Abdullah Al NafiAntar, RTV's brand ambassador Fabliha Azim and MdTaif Mustafa will get the special honor for being successful individuals with autism traits.
In category-B, TrinomulProtibondhiPurnobashanSangstha (TPPS), Naogaon Ambati BudddhiProtibondhi O Autistic Biddaloy and AditmariBudddhiProtibondhi O Autistic Biddaloy will get the honor for working tirelessly for the development and protection of the Autistic community.
In category-C, MdZiaulHaque, DrMdZakir Hossain and Professor DrShaheen Akhtar are getting honor for working tirelessly for development and protection of the population with autism.
In category-D, NusratSharmin and DrNachima Islam Chowdhury Brishty will receive the honor for being successful parents with autism traits.
In category-E, two care-givers --Sonia Akhter and Monika Maria Rosario -- will receive the honors.
