Lalitha Mahal Palace and Crawford Hall of the University of Mysore in the city are among the landmark buildings in the world that will be lit up in blue on Thursday to throw attention on autism, a pervasive development 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. Some of the landmark monuments that have been lit up on this occasion include the Great Pyramids, Sydney Opera House, the statue of Christ the Redeemer at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Parliament House, New Delhi; Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, and Charminar, Hyderabad.
In a statement issued here, the Mysore District Parents Association for Empowering Developmentally Disabled and WeCAN (We Challenge Autism Now), Chennai, will partner with landmark 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.
Hema Malini Jairam, founder-director, WeCan, told The Hindu that apart from the Lalitha Mahal Palace, the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) office, the city railway station and the Jaganmohan Palace will be lit up in blue. “We have met the authorities at the MCC and the Deputy Commissioner’s office and they have agreed,” 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 all be lit up.
