Visual impairment is not a big problem and those, who remain mum thinking that they are blind, are not aware of their potentialities, said

Miles Hilton-Barber, a blind aviator and adventurer.

"The only limits in our lives are those that we accept ourselves. Strong determination, and most importantly the support from all, can lift the bar of physical challenges," said Miles, who arrived in Dhaka on April 2 on a three-day goodwill visit to support the fund raising for Standard Chartered Bank's 'Seeing is Believing' programme.

While talking to journalists at a press conference at a city hotel organised by Standard Chartered Bank, Miles said, "Sight is a wonderful gift many take for granted. Whilst I will never see again in this life, but many people of the developing countries may get back this priceless gift by the money being collected through our flight."

On March 7, Miles ventured out on his latest challenge 'Flight for Sight' to become the first blind aviator in history to fly halfway around the world through a specially customised microlight plane and since then he had travelled 20 countries, the organisers said.

In his 55-day journey that started from London, he will fly over 13,000 miles before ending his mission in Sydney after travelling through Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and East Timor, they said, adding that during this trip he hoped to raise at least one million pounds sterling towards the sight restorations programme. Miles has been blind for about 25 years but that did not let him stop from challenging barriers, seeking adventure and succeeding on expeditions to deserts, mountains and polar regions.

Since losing his sight, Miles set numerous world records while undertaking extreme endurance events across the seven continents of the world, from Siberia to Sahara desert, from Antarctica to Africa, from Himalayas to Gobi desert, and fromAlps to Death Valley.

While sharing his experience Miles said, "When Iwas 18,1 applied to become a fighter pilot but was rejected due to poor eyesight."

"Now, after 37 years I have this wonderful opportunity and privilege to fly more than half-way around the world," he added.

He requested all to come forward to join in their initiative and stretch support for 'seeing is believing' commitment.

The organisers said 'Seeing is Believing' programme is aimed to raising funds for sight restorations of 10 million blind people in the developingworld by 2010.

In Bangladesh, the collected funds will be utilised for cataract operations, training of doctors, and building of facilities in partnership with Sightsavers International.

Shah Masud Imam, head of Corporate Affairs of Standard Chartered Bank, said during his short interval, Miles will meet high officials of the bank and eminent persons of the country.

Richard Meredith-Hardy and M Enamul Kabir, country representative of Sightsavers, also spoke on the occasion.