An example to follow

It is inspiring to come across the story of a physically challenged individual like Sanwar Hossain on International Day of Persons with Disabilities that was observed on December 3. A visually impaired man, who wished not to be dependent on anyone and wanted others like him to live a life of dignity, has run a school for the last decade called Protibandhi Punorbashan and Manobadhikar Samity in Pabna. It has facilitated more than 600 people to be self-reliant by training them on a whole range of income generating activities, from sewing to dairy farming. What sets apart the Samity or group is that its funds come from existing members who contribute to organise trainings so that a new generation of people living with disabilities may learn the skills to earn a livelihood.

It is refreshing to find people like Sanwar whose school has produced "graduates" who have gone on to float their own businesses. The vast majority have opened dairy farms while others went into tailoring and household based handicrafts. The school run by Sanwar is also giving financial support to some 50 to 60 students to study.

Societal prejudices shape our thoughts and the vast majority of people view the physically challenged as burdens upon families. The common negative attitude translates into these people, who may have physical impairments but are strong intellectually, not getting jobs in the formal sector. This is why Sanwar's initiative stands out by a mile as a venture that receives no support from any government body and yet survives and thrives because of sheer individual determination and perseverance of a person who wanted to make a difference.