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The blind torchbearer

Blind Rafiqul Bari runs a school for disabled children at Ghatail. Six local youths render voluntary service as teachers

AMINUL Islam, back from Ghatail, Tangail
Mymensingh: Blind Rafiqul Bari had a mission-to do something for physically handicapped people like him.
His success has surprised all. He has proved that if treated with care and affection, physically and intellectually retarded children can leam and perform like others.
After a sports programme in the morning, students of the School for Disabled at Ghatail he set up two years back presented a cultural programme that awed a big audience including officials and public representatives.
Dance performance by Rozina Akhtar and Munni and a song by 13-year old Arif drew applause from the audience. There were other performances also.
Moved by their performance, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Zakaria declared that he would take steps for allotment of a
plot of land for the school, now run at a rented house at the upazila headquarter. He also announced a grant of Tk 20,000 for construction work.
The DC was the chief guest at the function, also attended by other officials and Ghatail Munipal Chairman Abdur Rashid Miah. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Kayesul Islam was In the chair.
It was a happy day for the disabled children, playing, singing and enjoying the company of other children, enjoyed by a big enthusiastic crowd. The programmes were arranged last week on a field adjoining their school.
"It is a happy day for us. It helped us communicate with other children", said hearing impaired Dulal, 14.
"More such programmes should be held", he said talking to this correspondent.
Rozina said they read textbooks and also takes part in extraacademic activities at the school.
"Our teachers are very good. They
take care and love us", she said. Bari's initiative also inspired some young men in the area. Six teachers from among local youths teach the 80 students voluntarily.
THbeni, a local cultural organisation, is giving all out support to the disabled students in cultural activities.
Morsheda Khatun, headmistress of the school, said, "I have no words to express my happiness. A large number of people enjoyed and praised their (disabled students') performance. It is a great encouragement for us and the disabled children".
?\nother teacher, Mukul Hossain, said if given facility, disabled children can also be trained like others and lead normal life.
Rafiqul Bari, now 36, lost his eyesight at the age of two. He set up the school in 2003 without taking anyfinancialassistancefromothcrs.
Of the 80 students on roll, four are blind, 20 physically disabled, 22 hearing-impaired and 34 arg dis-
abled in intelligence. The students do notpay any tuition fees.
The school is run at a two-room house, rented atTk 1000 per month. One room is used as classroom and theotherforoffice.Theschoolhas to pay Tk 150 as electricity bill per month andTk 12,00 for transporting the students to and from homes in threewheeler rickshaw vans.
"Disabled children are our sons and daughters", Bari said. "We should not think that they are liabilities. If educated and trained properly, they can also lead normal life".
Bari said the young teachers are doing a great job by helping the students. Their contribution Is also appreciated by all in the area. "Local people cooperate with us in all ways".
The school has also programmes to create awareness amongstudents about health and sanitation, dowry, tree plan ting and environment.