April 02, 2026: The 13th National and 21st World Down Syndrome Day, along with the 19th World Autism Awareness Day-2026, were observed today, Thursday, with due solemnity and festive fervor. The event was jointly organized by SWID Vocational Training School and SWID Laboratory Model School, with the overall cooperation of SWID Bangladesh. The program commenced at 11:00 AM, graced by the top leadership of SWID Bangladesh as guests of honor. The speakers emphasized the protection of the rights of children with special needs and the vital importance of integrating them into the mainstream of society. The event was attended by Mr. Jowaherul Islam Mamun, Mentor of SWID Bangladesh; Mr. Md. Mahbubul Munir, Secretary General of SWID Bangladesh; and Mr. Abdul Mannan Manu, Member Secretary of the SWID Bangladesh Welfare and Rehabilitation Sub-Committee. Also present were Mr. Dipankar Adhikary and Mr. Shah Alam Sarkar Mintu, members of the SWID Bangladesh National Executive Committee. Furthermore, Mr. Mohammad Nurul Islam, Principal of the SWID Special Education Teacher Training College, along with the faculty members, participated in this special occasion. The Headmasters, teachers, and staff of both schools were present to encourage the students. A significant highlight of the event was the participation of approximately 150 students with neurodevelopmental disabilities, accompanied by their parents, who highly praised the awareness-building initiative. In their speeches, the guests stressed the need for empathy toward individuals with Autism and Down Syndrome and advocated for making them self-reliant through vocational education. SWID Bangladesh has long been dedicated to the welfare of persons with disabilities, and today’s successful event is a testament to that ongoing commitment. The program was moderated by Mr. Md. Iqbal Hossain Himel, Assistant Director of SWID Bangladesh.