Independence Award for 16 personalities

The government yesterday named 16 distinguished personalities, including former speaker the late Humayun Rashid Choudhury and Sergeant Zahurul Haq, to honour them with the highest state award “Swadhinata Padak- 2018” (Independence Award) for their remarkable contributions.

Choudhury and Zahurul were accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case that was instituted by the government of Pakistan against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and thirty -four other Bengalis. The incident is still a point of reference for students of Bangladesh's history.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city on March 25, said a press release of the cabinet division.

Of the nominees, 12 people have been nominated in the Independence and Liberation War category, while the names of four others were put forward in other categories.

Ten of the 16 will be getting the award posthumously.

The Swadhinata Padak, the highest civilian award, was introduced in 1977.

The 12 nominated in the Independence and Liberation war category are Quazi Zakir Hasan (Posthumous), Shaheed SMA Rashidul Hasan (Posthumous), Sankar Govinda Chowdhury (Posthumous), Air Vice Marshal Sultan Mahmud Bir Uttam, M Abdur Rahim (Posthumous), Bhupati Bhusan Chowdhury alias Manik Chowdhury (Posthumous), Shaheed Lieutenant Mohammad Anwarul Azim (Posthumous), Humayun Rashid Chowdhury (Posthumous), Shaheed Amanullah Mohammad Asaduzzaman (Posthumous), Shaheed Motiur Rahman Mallik (Posthumous), Shaheed Sergeant Zahrul Haq (Posthumous) and  Amzadul Haq.

Besides, Prof AK Md Ahsan Ali has been nominated for contributions to the field of medicine, Professor AK Azad Khan in Social Service, Selina Hossen in Literature and Dr M Abdul Mazid in food security, the release said.