Vice-Chairman of Safwan Bashundhara Global, Director of Bashundhara Group and Chairman of Bashundhara Special Children Foundation Yeasha Sobhan has received the Mother Teresa International Peace Award 2026 for her contribution to autism-related initiatives and the welfare of children with special needs.

The Saarc Cultural Forum presented the award at a ceremony held at a hotel in Dhaka on 29 August, according to a press release.

The award recognised her efforts to support children with autism and other special needs and promote greater awareness, mainstream inclusion and opportunities for them in Bangladesh.

Established in 2017, Bashundhara Special Children Foundation currently supports more than 600 students with special needs. The foundation provides education, care, guidance and development opportunities in a supportive environment.

As chairman of the foundation, Yeasha has remained involved in initiatives supporting the education, care and development of children with special needs.

Her social initiatives also include involvement with the Thalassemia Foundation and interest-free microcredit programmes intended to provide financial and livelihood support to disadvantaged people and families.

The award highlighted the importance of sustained support for children with special needs through education, therapy, care, skills development and opportunities for greater independence.

Through her leadership at Safwan Bashundhara Global, Yeasha has also supported business expansion and employment generation, the release said.