16 lakh registered as disabled in Bangladesh.

News Report International Day of Persons with Disabilities and National Disabled Day-2018 will be observed in the country as elsewhere in the world today (Monday) aiming to create mass awareness to extend supports and provide adequate facilities for the people with disabilities. A total 15,93,070 people with disabilities have been registered so far in Bangladesh, according to the National Taskforce on Disabilities-friendly Disaster Management Affairs. Of them, 4,33,000 are from 19 storm-prone districts across the country. On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, urging local and foreign organisations and the affluent section of society to extend their helping hands for the welfare of the people with disabilities.

They wished success of all programmes of the day and greeted all people with disabilities, their families and organisations working for them. Both appreciated the theme of the day, "Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equity", saying it was important to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). President Hamid said it is imperative to integrate people with disabilities with the mainstream of development to ensure their empowerment. "People with disabilities...