Inclusive attitudes need nurturing

Autism related programmes have increased since a 70 million taka project was launched last year to address the special needs of autistic and other children affected by various neurological deficits. The suspected causes behind these conditions may be many, and quite debatable, but there should be no disagreement about the importance of continued research to eliminate the factors as well as establishing positive societal attitudes towards this target group. It is in the enlightened self-interest of the nation at large that inclusive attitudes are nurtured. The sad fact is, people in this part of the world are found, more often than not, to be quite callous with, and even cruel to, fellow beings who are physically or neurologically challenged. Families affected by autistic children therefore hesitate to socialize, thus restricting the scope for humane interaction and development, which would undoubtedly help both the families and the special persons themselves to adjust positively. Families in socio-economically backward situations are doubly affected if they have to cope with a mentally or physically challenged child. The Prime Minister, while opening the Centre for Neurological Development and Autism in Children at the BSMMU last year, as part of the project, declared that every school ought to have an in-house psychologist-counselor to mend the general insensitivity towards 'others' who are differently endowed ---- which autistic children obviously are. Though it may not be apparent, most children who are considered autistic, have been known to develop in amazing ways, if their aptitudes can be painstakingly built upon. Unfortunately, many never get a chance, due to the apathy and ignorance of society, sometimes including their guardians. The newly established center will hopefully initiate a culture not only of tolerance towards those who are affected by autism but also help tap their latent talents so the world around them is a better place to live in. Statistics available on autism in the country is rather inadequate and must be properly updated if appropriate measures are to be taken to address the special needs of the sufferers. It is also important to collate reliable data in order to advance the cause of science through quality research. Although there is no known cure, early behavioural or cognitive intervention can, and does, help autistic children take care of themselves and also to acquire social and communication skills. Worldwide, the prevalence of autism ---- which is a highly variable neurological disorder ---- is said to be one to two per thousand, while that of the loosely grouped ASD (autism spectrum disorder), incidence is said to be six per thousand. Although it is not known definitively what causes this condition, in rare cases it has been strongly suggested that there may be links to agents that cause birth defects, such as heavy metals, pesticides ( the supposedly harmless mosquito repellents are suspect also) and even childhood vaccines gone wrong. The last mentioned has been surrounded by the fiercest controversies with nay- sayers declaring it 'biologically implausible' and lacking 'scientific evidence'. But many do not dismiss the apprehension that various degrees of autism may be the one- in- a- million side-effects of the worldwide life-saving childhood immunization programmes, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the dangers. Be that as it may, the need for rigorous scientific research is all the more important so that the suspected causes may be eliminated and the mother's womb protected from exposure to all kinds of hazardous substances. 4 OPINION Two Padma bridges instead of one! Until now the public knew financing gargantuan projects is the hardest part of the job. But when funds can be managed under the PPP, not only for one bridge but for two, why should we depend on multilateral agencies that are out to take us for a ride with conditionalities and making our image suffer as well? Neil Ray Who says we are not having our Padma bridge constructed? The government plans to showcase, according to reports, not just one but two bridges over the river Padma -and that too at the same time. What a pleasant surprise! To go by the reports, even if the World Bank turns its suspension of fund into 'no finance' at all, the authorities are determined to go ahead with the plan to complete the task well within the tenure of this government. One bridge will be at its original point between Mawa and Jajira and the other between Paturia and Daulatdia. Nothing wrong with making grand plans like this. But the problem with the poor public is that they start questioning whenever the government discloses its intention of doing something for them. And who doesn't know that they ask too many questions? Their first and foremost question obviously concerns funding for the projects. When the cloud of uncertainty hovers over the funding for the original bridge by the World Bank and others on alleged corruption charges, where will the fund come from? The finance minister first hinted that his government would construct Padma bridge-2 with fund pooled under public-private partnership (PPP). Now a meeting between the prime minister and the communications minister has made the picture clearer. The bridges will be built under build, operate and transfer (BOT) system. We are given the impression that there will be no difficulty in managing the required fund. Until now the public knew financing such gargantuan projects is the hardest part of the job. But when fund can be managed under the PPP, not only for one bridge but for two, why should we look for fund from multilateral agencies that are out to take us for a ride with conditionalities as well as make our image suffer? When we can make do without the WB's support, it proves quite a few points. The points are: a) that we are not financially and otherwise as spineless as many think of us; b) multilateral agencies may not keep faith in our clean image, but others do; c) we can undertake mega projects on our own, if need be and finally shape our future. So it would be wrong for anyone to underestimate us. When the world's only superpower, the US, is almost bleeding now because of fund crunch, we are saying 'money will be no problem'. It seems there is a proverbial Gouri Sen. Is the incorrigibly detracted public still unconvinced just because the government is heavily borrowing from the commercial banks? After all, the government is the owner of all that it beholds within the boundary of this land. So it would be foolish for the public to clamour in the old fashion like a disgruntled child: "give us one bridge, instead of two". The public must be ready to admit that they love to exaggerate. How they do so is best illustrated by the adage: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".