And there's more -- filmmaking. When The Daily Star correspondent dropped in at Savar a seven- member crew was busy discussing the nitty gritties of a series of three documentary films on CRP and its members. Under the able guidance of London-based filmmaker Jibunnessa Abdullah, the group is to interview, shoot and edit the film. The group was in the process of firming up questions for an interview with Mahiuddin Babul, who fell from a mango tree in 1985 and became paralysed. The enterprising Babul makes a good subject for the film since he has set up a small electronics business in Dhaka after a degree in electronics from Polytechnic Institute, Dhaka.

Among the questions that will come the way of Babul are how long he has been at CRP, why is he in a trolley, the training he has received, life after the accident, his marriage and the problems he faces. As Jibunnessa says, "Even if some buildings have lifts, the wheel chair users have to negotiate steps. We will be looking at Babul's home in Dhaka which has been adapted to his needs -- as for example a ramp, an accessible toilet. Often rented homes have no wheelchair access, narrow doors, the kitchen stove is too high or low and the electric switches may be too high."

The film that is in making is geared to generate awareness about disability, discuss the achievements of CRP residents and try to erase the taboos and myths that surround such wheelchair users.

Apart from Babul, the other interviewees will be mouth painter Ibrahim, security guard Bazlu, wheelchair trainer Asma (with her husband), and in the pipeline are interviews with Hosneara, who is in charge of the pediatrics department at CRP and Dr Fazlul Haque, director of the medical department.

The members of the crew are highly enthusiastic about their project, which will give them fresh skills and develop their potential. Says the wheelchair-bound Sabiha, who makes jewellery and is assistant supervisor and storekeeper at CRP's Gonokbari centre, "I enjoy all the aspects of editing. It opens up new horizons for me." Likewise, Joyti Rani Taylor, who has completed her HSC from Open University, Savar, subscribes to the same view.

This is not CRP's first foray into filmmaking. The one of its kind institution in the country has made two full-length feature films (by other groups) named Bihongo (which was inspired by the story of late mouth painter Lovely and the ability of the paralysed to develop their potential in an enabling environment) and Radio Bhai, in conjunction with the UK-based Purple Field Productions (revolving around a wheelchair bound protagonist and geared to combat the fear and superstitions that surround disability in Bangladesh).

CRP has also produced documentaries about the range of problems faced by the differently abled, including road safety and accessibility. Notable documentaries are Glorious 25 Years, Ochena Phuler Mela and Angikar. Such documentaries can be taken around villages and serve as catalysts for change in the social attitudes to the differently abled.