Dhaka: Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid emphasized today that the white cane is a symbol of independence, awareness, and empowerment, rather than limitation. Speaking at a discussion held at the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons (NFDDP) in Mirpur, Dhaka, she remarked, “The white cane represents freedom. It signifies not restriction, but limitless potential. Blindness is not a defeat-it is a new way of seeing the world.” The event was organized to mark World White Cane Safety Day 2025.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sharmeen highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Social Welfare under the interim government to improve the quality of life and protect the rights of all persons with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired. This year’s theme, ‘Modernization of White Cane, Development of Visually Impaired Persons,’ is particularly significant, she noted. “This day is not merely about the white cane-it is a global celebration of solidarity, unity, and the rights of the visually impaired community,” she added.
She also stated that Bangladesh is committed to creating an inclusive and discrimination-free society. NFDDP, under the Ministry of Social Welfare’s guidance, is working to integrate persons with disabilities into the nation’s mainstream development through education, training, employment, and rehabilitation, aiming for a prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty.
As part of the observance, NFDDP distributed both regular white canes and modern electronic ‘smart canes’ equipped with sensors to visually impaired individuals at no cost. Additionally, 100 meritorious visually impaired students received Tk 5,000 each in financial incentives and honorary awards.
The event was chaired by Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf and featured addresses by NFDDP Managing Director (Additional Secretary) Bijoy Krishna Debnath, Center for Disability in Development Senior Coordinator Md Jahangir Alam, Visually Impaired People’s Society President Advocate Md Mosharraf Hossain Majumdar, and Bangladesh Disabled Welfare Association General Secretary Dr. Md Harunur Rashid.
Currently, NFDDP is implementing a variety of welfare programs for persons with disabilities, including free therapeutic and referral services through 103 Disability Service and Help Centres across all districts and 39 upazilas. It also operates hostels for working men and women with disabilities and provides services to remote areas via 45 mobile therapy vans, with 20 new centers under development.
Moreover, NFDDP offers grants, assistive devices, artificial limbs, training, and hostel facilities for people with disabilities, while supporting NGOs working in the disability sector. To promote inclusive sports, arrangements have been made for sports activities for children and youth with disabilities at Shaheed Farhan Faiyaz Field near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, and a sports complex is under construction at Savar, Dhaka.
Additionally, the Department of Social Services is implementing various programs such as disability allowances, stipends, disability identification surveys, training and rehabilitation centers, and inclusive education projects. To date, 487,818 visually impaired individuals have been identified nationwide through ongoing disability surveys.