About 10% of the total population of Bangladesh is disabled

Current statistics show that about 10% of the total population of Bangladesh is disabled. In terms of absolute number, it is about 13 million people. It is more alarming to note that, with the increase in population, each year another 2,40,000 to 2,60,000 more disabled people join the already existing 13 million. It is important to realise that many of these disabilities might have been prevented if there had been health awareness and timely intervention. Lack of knowledge about disabilities as well as fear and superstition result in negative attitudes towards the disabled. As a result, many of these people have little or no access to basic rights like education and employment.

In 1982 the United Nations took up the cause of people with disabilities and declared 1983-1992 the Decade of the Disabled person. the aim was to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and their full participation in families, communities and countries. In 1992 the Economics and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific proclaimed 1993-2002 the Asian and Pacific Decade of the Disabled Person. The proclamation of the second decade was needed as the first decade of 1983-1992 had not brought much change to the lives of people with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. The United Nations declared December 3^rd the International Day for the Disable. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Bangladesh has declared the first Wednesday of April, the National Day for People with Disabilities.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first, and still the most outstanding model of a passenger train

The development of railways in the 19^th century has had a profound influence on social and economic developments in many parts of the world. This process is illustrated in an exceptional fashion by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The district of Darjeeling is in the state of West Bengal in India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first, and still the most outstanding model of a passenger train that goes up a mountain. It is popularly known as the Toy Train perhaps because of its colorful wagons and its slow speed. It also stands out as an example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the economic development of a multi-cultural region.

It was opened in 1881 and applied bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across a mountainous region of great beauty. It was in danger of being closed down but its declaration as a World Heritage Site in November 2000 means that it will remain operational and retain most of its original beauty.

According to UNICEF, the health of woman is a telling window on female inequality

According to UNICEF, the health of woman is a telling window on female inequality and it is most telling at the most vulnerable time of life: infancy and early childhood. The Global Commission on Women’s Health considers it imperative to look at women’s health within a life-cycle perspective; in other words, throughout the evolving stages of a woman’s life. The health conditions in one phase of a woman’s life not only affect subsequent phases of her own life, but also have an impact on future generations. This inter-generational link is a characteristic unique to women.

The girl child, as UNICEF categories the female child up to the age of 15, has become the focus of attention in recent years. Several areas, such as education, work and health, are being re-examined with the specific needs of the girl child in mind. As today’s girl is tomorrow’s woman and will bear the responsibility for a new generation, it is important that the health needs of girls are met.

Many diseases are rising at an alarming rate

Many diseases are rising at an alarming rate, which experts believe is due to increased pollution of the environment. Pollution appears to be greater in urban areas although rural societies too are afflicted by increased use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides. Nevertheless, today city people appear to suffer from many more diseases and suffer more severely than country people. Now let us see how life in cities is different from that in the country.