BHUBANESWAR:The Centre for Autism Therapy Counselling and Help (CATCH) observed the 8th World Autism Awareness Day here on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Nalco Anshuman Das, chief guest of the function, said autism is just a physical state and people with autism deserve a dignified and respectful life.
“Though family members and friends take every care of people suffering from autism, it must go beyond these families. Society as a whole must show care and respect to such people,” Das said.
He also called upon the Government to bring all such schools, which teach and care for children with autism, under one roof and provide financial support. Nalco, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has provided a bus to a Government school and would continue its endeavour to support, Das added.
Secretary of CATCH Rita Jena said the centre has been working for children with autism for the last 10 years and despite financial hardships, it has not wavered from its objective. CATCH also organised a State-level art contest for children with autism and organised exposure trips.
Jena informed that CATCH would soon shift to a new and bigger campus near SUM Hospital. Saswati Bal, president of KIIT Society, CGM of SBI KN Trivedi and president of CATCH Sujata Sahu were also present.
A cultural function was also performed by students of CATCH to mark the occasion.