Noman Khan
Heartiest congratulations to A.H.M. Noman Khan on his being awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2010. This recipient of Asia's most prestigious award is an extra ordinary person who has proved that he speaks through his work, not through any other means, and that he works for the suffering humanity and not for self aggrandizement.
Instead of choosing a path of profitable business or any other money generating career, Mr. Khan has followed a least trodden path, serving the people with various disabilities, who are thirteen million in number in the country. He wants to ensure their easy access to livelihood, education, medical care and other opportunities required for a more productive and dignified life. He says, "Persons with disabilities have dreams which they want to fulfil like everyone else -- to work, to sustain a future, to exist side by side with others. All they need is the proper environment to work in and lead life as equal to everyone else.”
As has been reported, Mr. Khan, who was in government service till 1995, relinquished his job and decided to deal with disability issues being inspired by attending a training programme on community-based rehabilitation in Indonesia.
Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has honoured Mr. Khan and his organization, the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) in continuation of recognising individuals and organizations who address humanitarian issues with extraordinary enthusiasm, integrity and selflessness.
In the citation for Noman Khan, a recipient of Magsaysay Award 2010, the board of trustees said that they have recognised his pioneering leadership in mainstreaming persons with disabilities in the development process of Bangladesh, and in working vigorously with all sectors to build a society that is truly inclusive and barrier-free.
Once again, we congratulate Mr. Khan on his grand achievement and appreciate the award giving trustee board for evaluating and inspiring the noble deeds of this extra ordinary man of our country.
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