Fourteen individuals and Bangladesh Navy have been named for Independence Award-2016 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the nation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand out the awards to the winners at a function at the city's Osmani Memorial Auditorium on March 24, said a PID handout.

The awardees under Independence and Liberation War category are: Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Textiles and Jute Minister Emaz Uddin Pramanik, Moulvi Achmat Ali Khan (posthumous), Squadron Leader Badrul Alam (retd) Bir Uttam, who played a role in forming Bangladesh Air Force, Shahid Shah Abdul Mazid, who played the leading role in preventing the attack on Rajshahi Police Lines by the Pakistan occupation force, M Abdul Ali (posthumous), then Mahkuma administrator of Rangamati who was killed in an attack by Pakistani military force in 1971, AKM Abdur Rauf (posthumous), typographer of the constitution, KM Shehabuddin, first head of Bangladesh's New Delhi mission, and Syed Hasan Imam for playing a courageous role in cultural activities in support of the Liberation War.

Besides, Rafiqul Islam (posthumous) and Abdus Salam have been nominated for the award in Mother Language category for playing a role in achieving recognition of February 21 as International Mother Language Day while Dr Maqsudul Alam (posthumous) has been nominated in science and technology category for decoding the jute genome.

Renowned physician Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan (MR Khan) has been named for the award in medical science category and singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya in cultural category.

Besides, Bangladesh Navy has been nominated for its role in the Liberation War and in protecting the country's independence and sovereignty.