We felt sad. even a little angry, reading a letter in our Correspondence column on Sunday about a disabled visitor to the "Ekushey" book fair being subjected to taunts and insults by a few thoughtless uncaring individuals. We would like to think that those who used uncharitable terms against the particular visitor were few. Here, the number is of little consequence. No disabled person should face any humiliating situation.

The writer of the letter. Md Shahidul Haque, has rightly called for a change in the attitude of our people towards the unfortunate minority who suffer from one form of physical handicap or another. He has also made a case about public buildings, like the Bangla Academy, being* made-' accessible to users of wheel chairs. Indeed, a lot can be done to make life easier than they are today for our handicapped people.

Il all boils down to our overall attitude towards disabled individuals. Our cultural heritage and even our religions teach us to be a caring society which, in the past, practised philanthropy and charity. It is said that with the increasing brutalisation of our sensitivities, we have lost much and given up many of our traditional values, standards and concerns. Yet. we like to think, the losses we mourn are far from permanent. Mr Haque whose sad letter was published in this paper on Sunday should not throw up his hands in despair. Like our own heritage, our caring society may well be reborn one day. hopefully sooner than we expect, much to the delight and surprise of all concerned.