The concert, titled Upolobdhir Shetubandhan, aimed to generate awareness on autism and related issues. Brig General Md Zakir Hossain psc, G (Retd), executive chairman of BEPZA was the chief guest at the event.

The event started with a performance by Shakila Zafar. The artiste rendered Tumi misthi korey, Tomakey dekhley maunota bhuley jai and one of her all-time favourite, Tumi amar prothom shokal.

Following the performance, Anwar Hossain, chairman of SWAC provided a Power Point presentation on autism, effects of the disability on children, misconceptions about the disability and programmes implemented and planned by SWAC for children with the disability.

Hossain said, "SWAC was formed by parents of autistic children on February 3, 2000. The primary goal was to educate and train these children with 'special needs' and establishing them in mainstream society. The organisation started with six students. Today 60 students are enrolled in the SWAC School in Lalmatia. The organisation also trains and counsels parents of autistic children."

Autism is a brain-based development disorder, which appears in a child by the age of three. Children with autism have difficulties in communication and social interaction. They also exhibit attention deficiency and repetitive behaviour.

Autism is often confused with mental illness in rural areas and among the illiterate, underprivileged. One autistic child in 10 can show exceptional skills in areas such as art, music and more.

Aadil Haque, a 16 year-old SWAC student who has demonstrated impressive skills in painting, was honoured at the event. The young artiste has received an award at the competition titled "Egypt in the Eyes of World's Children" arranged by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for his painting "Golden Cleopatra". Aadil has also received a gold medal by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for his accomplishment.

The musical performances resumed after the presentation and finalists of the talent hunt Close up 1 took the stage one after another. Abid performed a Tagore song Pagla hawar badol diney and Nowrin sang a melodious adhunik song Krishnachura laal hoyechhey.

Rashed presented a moving rendition of Ma. Rinku delivered a very charged performance of the Lalon song, Ved bidhi pod shastra kana. The effects of dhol on bongo, haunting tunes of flute and powerful vocals conjured the feel one gets at Lalon's Akhra(shrine).

Beauty also performed a Lalon song, Shorboshadhon shidhdhi hoy tar and Close Up 1 winner Nolok sang the 'Bari Siddiqui number' Amar gaye joto dukhkho shoy. Artistes Kumar Bishwajit and the band Renaissance also performed at the programme.

The programme was jointly sponsored by AKTEL, HSBC Bank and Citibank NA Bangladesh.