Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) observed World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday to celebrate the contributions of persons with autism and promote their inherent rights.
Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, SSEPD, while flagging off a huge rally Sunday morning, emphasised upon early diagnosis and interventions that can lead to improved outcomes for individuals with autism. Panda also described the day as an opportunity to raise a collective voice in support of persons with autism.
Starting from Ram Mandir square, the rally reached Capital High School. Students from Special Schools and the State Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SIEP) along with volunteers, teachers and guardians participated in the rally. Students holding placards shouted slogans to spread the essential message of autism by wearing blue apparel.
Ananta Narayan Jena, MLA, Sulochana Das, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor, Bhaskar Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, SSEPD Department, and senior officers were present in the programme to encourage the students.
As a unique initiative to create awareness of autism, the “Light it up Blue” campaign was taken up in Lok Seva Bhawan and SIEP buildings. Besides, cultural programmes presented by persons with autism were held in Ekamra Haat in the afternoon. Awareness hoardings were placed at 15 locations in Bhubaneswar to disseminate autism awareness messages.
