Geetobitan published in Braille

Three visually impaired people sing at a publication ceremony of a book 'Geetobitan' by Rabindranath Tagore at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium yesterday. The book was published in Braille. PHOTO: STAR

The book in ten volumes was launched at a ceremony at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium yesterday.

Poet Titu Chowdhury converted the book into Braille, a system of raised dots which allows visually impaired people to read.

National Forum of Organisations Working With the Disabled (NFOWD), Handicap International (HI) and Answer Brandsmith Ltd. sponsored the publication of the book.

They also have a plan to distribute the copies of the book free among the visually impaired singers who sings Tagore songs.

The publication is an initiative to inculcate the spirit of Tagore's musical language in people with visually impairment who do not have access to the mainstream publications, said NFOWD President Khondkar Zahurul Alam.

He also said NFOWD would launch a nationwide awareness campaign in the next four years to ensure education of 16 lakh physically challenged children, most of whom are visually impaired.

Prof Sanjida Khatun, a Tagore song exponent, said the songs by Rabindranath are a source of inspiration to physically challenged people.

Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, director of Impact Foundation Bangladesh, called on the computer programmers and entrepreneurs to come forward to extend their service to visually impaired people so that they can have easy access to information technology.

Wahidul Huq, a Tagore song exponent, and Titu Chowdhury also spoke at the programme conducted by actor Khaled Khan.