Noted singer Kalim Sharafi sang a welcoming song while a group of disabled children greeted Matiur Rahman with flowers. Masuda Begum, a counsellor to the BPF, read out a citation in honour of the editor.

The students of the BPF also presented a cultural show at the programme.

"We are proud of you as you are not only a great journalist but also a man of great heart. The reports in your daily inspire the acid victims and drug addicts to lead a normal life with renewed hopes. Various competitions such as Mathematics Olympiad and reception to the meritorious students, organised by the daily, also encourage the students to build a bright future," said Sultana Sarwat Ara Zaman, general secretary of the Foundation, in her welcome speech.

The newspaper is also giving an opportunity to women to explore and demonstrate their creativity by giving priority to women's issues and arranging different competitions for them, she said.

Lauding the Prothom Alo's courageous role in revealing the truth, Prof Latifa Akand said, "Journalists are the ones who work silently but are rarely recognised. We are happy today to congratulate a journalist like Matiur Rahman."

Executive Director of Ubinig and women's rights activists Farida Akter pointed out that the tragic reality of the disabled people is not fully reflected in the media.

"Every family, somewhere or other, has members with some forms of disability. So, we must not ignore their needs."

Expressing his thanks to the BPF for the reception, Matiur Rahman admitted that the media does not reflect the real situation of the disabled the way it should be.

He announced a donation of Tk 50,000 for the Foundation and assured that from now on his daily would work together with the Foundation to raise awareness about the problems facing the disabled and create a fund for them.

BPF Chairperson Prof Naoshaba Khatun and Director Dr Shamim Ferdous also spoke.

Established in 1984, the BPF now has nine branches across the country, which have more than 1000 children, both disabled and disadvantaged.