They are "differently abled"

Jewel Aich performing a magic trick on a girl from the audience

"ID, also known as mental retardation, is not a disease. The trauma and agony such afflicted people suffer is incomparable, as they are unable to express themselves. With proper education and training the persons suffering from ID can be rehabilitated in the society. But for that social acceptance is necessary," said Sajida Humayun Kabir, acting president of SWID, Bangladesh. As she continued, "Ramna Branch, the largest branch of SWID, despite its limitations, endeavours to achieve the objective of integration, normalisation and rehabilitation through pragmatic measures for these innocent and helpless people. For this the sincere efforts of the family, community and volunteers are needed. And today's show seeks to generate public awareness as well as to mobilise financial support of the government, public bodies, trust and national and international societies."

Famous magician Jewel Aich also expressed his support to SWID, Bangladesh and displayed his brilliant magic in a jampacked auditorium. The audience was mesmerised with his spells and showmanship. With his recreation of the scene of his first snowfall experience in Toronto with cotton buds, his stand against racism by making a white feather into black and then into red, his cleaning of a little girl's throat with a sharpened sword, cutting a lady into three pieces, balancing a ball on a piece of cloth or making people or objects vanishthe audience watched with bated breath.

A child with ID is like any other child who needs security, love, care and moral support from the society. And taking a cue from a famous song we should sing in unison: "We shall overcome…Deep in my heart/I do believe/That we are/Not alone today".