Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday handed over appointment letters to three persons with disabilities as part of the government's efforts to promote their economic empowerment and inclusion in the mainstream.

He gave the appointment letters as he began the day's official engagements at his office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

He said the appointments were made to help persons with disabilities become self-reliant through employment and enable them to participate more actively in society.

The three recipients are Ayesha Akter from Saghata upazila of Gaibandha, Neela Khatun from Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj and Md Hasmat Ali from Narail Sadar upazila.

Receiving their appointment letters directly from the Prime Minister, the three expressed their joy, describing the occasion as the beginning of both a new career and a new chapter in their lives.

Both Ayesha Akter and Neela Khatun are physically challenged.

Born without both hands, Neela completed her master's degree by writing with her feet. She has been appointed as a teacher at the National Foundation for the Development of the Disabled in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Ayesha also completed her master's degree by writing with her feet. As she has no hands, she received her appointment letter using her mouth. She has been appointed as a class supervisor at BIAM Laboratory School and College in Gaibandha.

Meanwhile, visually impaired Md Hasmat Ali has been appointed as a Union Social Worker under the Department of Social Services.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin Putul, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Managing Director of the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons (NFDD) Md Tarikul Alam and Director General of the Department of Social Services Shah Mohammad Mahbub, among others, were present.

Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Kalyan Somity, thanked the Prime Minister for providing jobs to the three persons with disabilities.

 He met the Prime Minister to express his gratitude shortly after the appointment letters were handed over.