International White Cane Day was celebrated at the Manawraman Public Square in Mandalay on Monday.

"Today, we are holding a ceremony to mark International White Cane Day in Mandalay Region. Like in the international community, Myanmar places emphasis on the care for the blind. We have been looking after them a long time ago," said Region Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Myo Thit in his opening speech on the occasion.

Then, a mass walk was held with the participation of 233 blind people from the schools for the blind in PyiOoLwin, Sagaing, Pakokku and Myingyan. They walked from the corner of Theikpan Street and 68th Street to Manawraman Public Square.

The minister made a speech at the event and presented commemorative bowls to the schools for the blind.

National White Stick Movement for Blind was launched in France in 1931. Then, The US Congress proposed in 1964 to designate White Cane Safety Day on October 15.

Myanmar started holding the event in Yangon in 1992 and in Mandalay in 2011.

Myanmar has over 2.3 million disabled people and 54.1 percent is those with visual impairs.