Many factors including violence, road accidents, natural calamities and malnutrition are pushing up the number of handicapped people in the country, speakers noted addressing a colourful rally organised to mark the day on Manik Mian Avenue in the capital.

Referring to this year's theme of the day -- Nothing about Us without Us, they also emphasised the need for consulting the disabled people before any measure for their treatment is taken.

The social welfare ministry, Social Service Department, National Foundation of Disabled Development and National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled jointly organised the colourful rally in which hundreds of people including the disabled participated.

Carrying banners, festoons and placards the participants, some of them riding in some colourfully decorated horsecarts, marched through different parts of the city in time to an orchestra.

Addressing a gathering prior to the procession in front of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Ali Ahsan Mohammed Mujahid, minister for social welfare, said as the chief guest that an estimated 1.40 crore or 10 percent of the population in the country are disabled. He, however, claimed disability caused by malnutrition and lack of medical facility is gradually decreasing.

The minister said, compared to other countries, people in Bangladesh have better family lives, a situation that reduces the number of cases of mental disability. "We face fewer number of suicides and divorces that lead to insanity," he added.

He told the rally participants that the government has decided to reserve 1 percent seats in the Bangladesh Civil Service examinations for the disabled.

Kazi Monarul Haq, secretary of the social welfare ministry, said though disabled people generally face much inconvenience yet disabled women are subjected to more discrimination. They are more neglected in society and family than their male counterparts.

Hafizur Islam Mian, director general of Social Service Department, said policymakers should try to ensure equal opportunity for the disabled.

"All of us have some sort of disability but God looks on us equally; and following that we should ensure equal opportunity for all," he said.

The government as well as different organisations observed the day through seminars, discussions and colourful rallies in the capital and across the country.

Action on Disability and Development (ADD), a non-governmental organisation, brought out another colourful rally in Badda in the capital in which more than 25 organisations including Ain O Salish Kendro and over 350 disabled people joined.

The ADD also held a discussion meeting where speakers urged all to create awareness and come forward to eliminate violence against disabled women.

Shyamoli Rani, representative of Disabled Nari Parishad, said separate ticket counters at railway stations, bus terminals, airports and ferry terminals should be set up for the disabled.

Newspapers published special articles while state-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television broadcast special programmes to mark the day.