<i>Wheelchairs give them new life</i>
80 physically challenged join happy procession in Panchagarh town
Eighty physically challenged people on wheelchairs join an awareness campaign procession in Panchagarh town on Thursday, following a function at Panchagarh Government Auditorium where they received them under the initiative of the local lawmaker and zila parishad.Photo: STAR
It was a happy occasion for 80 physically challenged people of Panchagarh as they joined a procession in the town with wheelchairs gifted to them on Thursday. Mozaharul Haque Prodhan, lawmaker from Panchagarh-1 constituency, distributed the wheelchairs among the physically challenged people including men, women and children at a function at Panchagarh Government Auditorium. Of the total cost of Tk 5 lakh 4 thousand for the 80 wheelchairs, Tk 3 lakh 44 thousand was arranged from the lawmaker's development fund while the lawmaker personally donated rest of the money -- Tk 1 lakh 60 thousand, said an official of Pachagarh Zila Parishad. After the distribution ceremony, authorities arranged a procession of the physically challenged people, aiming at developing awareness to help the challenged people ease their hardship and live as helpful members of the society. "I felt sorry to see the sufferings of physically challenged people during my visit to different areas in my constituency. And so, I took initiative for arranging the wheelchairs to ease their movement," lawmaker Mozaharul Haque Prodhan said. One year ago, he started 'Bijoy', a training centre for the challenged people, with his own financial assistance. Twenty-five students are now studying at the centre being run temporarily at Panchagarh Union Parishad Bhaban. "I was inspired to set up the school after seeing the success of my speech impaired son Shajib Prodhan, 22. He passed the SSC from Jagdal High School in Panchagarh Sadar upazila and is now doing well as a student of a graphics college in Dhaka. Unprivileged physically challenged children can also do well if they get opportunity of schooling." During a visit on Friday, this correspondent saw eight-year-old Munna, son of Abdul Alim of Kamatpara village under Panchagarh Sadar upazila, in a joyful mood as he got a wheel chair. "Now Munna can easily move outside the house with the wheelchair. I often thought of buying such a chair for his smooth movement but I could not afford it," said his father Abdul Alim. Megla, 20, daughter of Monsur Ali of Kamathpara, and Shib Prashad, 65, of Dokropara village in Panchagarh municipality area, said they are happy as they can now move easily with the help of wheelchair. "I saw tears of joy rolling down the cheeks of physically challenged people as they joined the rally with wheelchairs. We all should come forward for the betterment of the challenged people," Shajahan Ali, lecture of English of Dr Abeda Hafiz School and College in Panchagarh. Earlier on the day, Panchagarh Zila Parishad organised a discussion with administrator of the parishad Abu Bakkar Siddique in the chair. Deputy Commissioner Md Tofazzol Hossaian Mian and Superintendent of Police Shahreer Rahman addressed, among others.
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