Lalitha Mahal Palace and the Crawford Hall of the University of Mysore in the city are among the landmark buildings that will be lit up in blue on Thursday to bring world attention on autism, a pervasive disorder that affects millions of people.
April 2 is observed as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) consequent to a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to create greater public awareness on autism. ‘Light It Up Blue for Autism’ is an initiative of Autism Speaks, USA and some of the landmark monuments and buildings that have been lit up on this occasion in the past include the Great Pyramids, Sydney Opera House, Christ the Redeemer at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Parliament House, New Delhi, Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, Charminar, Hyderabad etc.
In a statement issued here the Mysore District Parents Association for Empowering Developmentally Disabled and WeCAN (We Challenge Autism Now), Chennai,said they will partner with the land mark buildings to bring awareness on autism, a condition which has seen a 78 per cent increase since 2002.
The World Autism Awareness Day Resolution brings to focus not just the need to raise awareness about autism, to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention, but also to give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help, said the release.
Ms. Hema Malini Jairam, Founder Director, WeCan, told The Hindu that apart from the Lalith Mahal Palace, the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) office will also be lit up in blue as also the City Railway Station and the Jaganmohan Palace that will join other landmark structures across the world in this endeavour. “We have met the authorities at the MCC and the DC’s office and they have agreed to it”, said Ms.Jairam.
Supplementing their efforts will be a few commercial buildings of the city including the Mall of Mysore, the B.M. Habitat Mall and the Loyal World which will be lit up in blue. “There will be posters and information material pertaining to autism to create greater awareness on autism”, Ms. Jairam added.
