Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday conferred the Ekushey Padak 2023 to 19 eminent personalities and two organisations in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

She handed over the Ekushey Padak, the country's second-highest civilian award, at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

The cultural affairs ministry organised the event on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

Khaleda Manzoor-e-Khuda, freedom fighter AKM Shamsul Haque (posthumously), and Haji Mohammad Majibor Rahman received the award for their roles in the Language Movement.

Masud Ali Khan and Shimul Yusuf received the prestigious award for their contributions to acting, while Manoranjan Ghoshal, Gazi Abdul Hakim and Fazal-e-Khuda (posthumously) for music, Jayanto Chattopadhyay for recitation, Nawazish Ali Khan for shilpakala (arts), and Kanak Chanpa Chakma for painting.

Besides, Momtaz Uddin (posthumously) was given the award in the Liberation War category, Md Shah Alamgir (posthumously) in journalism, Md Abdul Majid in research, Professor Mazharul Islam (posthumously) in education, Saidul Haque in social service, Manjurul Islam (posthumously) and Akhter Uddin Mia (posthumously) in politics, and Maniruzzaman in language and literature.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh National Museum received the award in the category of education and the Bidyanondo Foundation in social service.

Each awardee received a gold medal, a replica of a medal, a certificate of honour, and a cheque worth Tk 4 lakh.

KM Khalid state minister for cultural affairs chaired the award-giving ceremony, while Md Mahbub Hossain, cabinet secretary, conducted it and read out the citations of the award recipients.

Md Abul Monsur, cultural affairs secretary, delivered the welcome address.

The Ekushey Padak was introduced in memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement.