Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday handed over appointment letters to three individuals with disabilities as part of the government’s efforts to promote their economic empowerment and inclusion in society. The ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, as confirmed by Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the initiative aims to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming self-reliant through employment, enabling them to participate more actively in societal activities. The three recipients of the appointment letters are Ayesha Akter from Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, Neela Khatun from Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj, and Md Hasmat Ali from Narail Sadar upazila.

Receiving their appointment letters directly from the Prime Minister, the recipients expressed their joy and described the occasion as the start of both a new career and a new chapter in their lives. Ayesha Akter and Neela Khatun, both physically challenged, have achieved remarkable academic success despite their disabilities. Neela, born without both hands, completed her master’s degree by writing with her feet and has been appointed as a teacher at the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled in Mirpur, Dhaka. Similarly, Ayesha, who also lacks hands, completed her master’s degree using her feet and received her appointment letter using her mouth. She has been assigned the role of class supervisor at BIAM Laboratory School and College in Gaibandha.

Meanwhile, Md Hasmat Ali, who is visually impaired, has been appointed as a Union Social Worker under the Department of Social Services. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin Putul, and Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf.

Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kalyan Somity, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for providing job opportunities to individuals with disabilities, meeting with the Prime Minister shortly after the appointment letters were distributed.