Koyra(Khulna) correspondent
Khulna’s Koyra Upazila is located on the edge of the coastal Sundarbans. Maharajpur Union Parishad (UP) is next to its main road. At other times, people from the union walk here. However Tuesday(3 December) was a completely different day.

Upon reaching Koyra’s Maharajpur UP around 10:30 am, it was seen that a temporary pandal has been built around the Parishad premises. In it, a group of disabled men and women are sitting in rows of chairs. A play by disabled people is being performed on stage. A large number of men and women are enjoying it with fascination.

On the occasion of the 33rd International Day of Disabled Persons, non-governmental organizations Disabled Child Foundation and Caritas Bangladesh organized such an event for disabled people in the upazila throughout the day today.

The story of the play is about some disabled men and women of society. The daily tensions have tied them in a helpless circle. What kind of challenges they have to face constantly, what obstacles they face during disasters; how much humiliation and humiliation disabled women have to endure every day; The play was about their collective efforts to rise above everything and leave everything behind. The play, titled ‘Ek’ibhut Alo Pothi’, also addressed the issues that public representatives and healthy people should do to protect and treat disabled people in society.

After the play, the audience expressed their feelings by interacting with the actors. Then, cultural programs and sports began with the participation of the disabled.

At one stage of the program, a group of disabled women were sitting in a circle on one side of the pandal and playing a pillow game. On the other side, a group of disabled men were playing a ball-throwing game. Some of them were physically disabled, some were mentally unbalanced. Many of them were unable to lead a normal life. Even though they could not play normally, everyone had a smile on their face.

Sumaiya Khatun, who participated in the game, has had one arm paralyzed since childhood. She said that today’s joy was the best time of her life.

The visually impaired Nayan Mandal sang a song at the cultural program. The song ‘Tumi Ki Dekesh Kavu Jibon Parajay’ in her half-slurred voice brought tears to the eyes of many viewers. Nayan said, ‘I am very happy to be able to get up on stage today and sing on the microphone. Even though I could not see it with my eyes, I heard many people clapping their hands. I want something like this to be organized for all those who are disabled like me.

Maharajpur UP Chairman Abdullah Al Mahmud presented the prizes to the winners of the cultural and sports competitions.

Subrata Mallick, Project Director of Caritas Bangladesh, the organizer of the event, said, “The main objective of such an event is to bring the disabled into the mainstream of society through sports, songs, acting, and joy.” If the disabled are given the opportunity to participate in various events and competitions with the physically able, the able-bodied will understand the problems of the disabled. The disabled will also enjoy themselves.

Sadar Uddin Ahmed, a retired teacher of Koira Kapotaksha College, who came to watch the event, said, “Such days rarely come in life, an incredible feeling of well-being is working in my heart and soul. In fact, disabled people can do anything if they get the opportunity. They just need a little bit of facilities. Today, my eyes have been wet again and again while talking to the disabled women, men, and children. I have heard their suffering. They are also people like us. Yet how neglected they are in society.”