The day is observed since 1969 following a decision taken in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia have given separate messages on the occasion.

The president in his message said, " It is our social and civic responsibility to create a favourable conditions for the blinds."

He urged all voluntary and private organisations including social workers to extend their hands for the welfare of the people with sight disability to supplement the government efforts.

The prime minister in her message said, " It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure their (people lacking eyesight) welfare and development."

She hoped that voluntary organisations and civil societies would play more effective role to supplement the government initiatives.

According to Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organisation (Berdo), there are around 20 lakh people in Bangladesh suffering from eye problems in different forms like partly blindness, blind from birth, total blindness, and cataract.

Berdo is helping the sightless people by arranging scholarships, library facilities, training programmes, jobs and credit facilities.

Different organisations have taken up programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled will hold a discussion at social service department office at Agargaon in the city at 10.00am.