21 to get Ekushey Padak this year

Twenty eminent personalities and an organisation will receive the country’s second-highest civilian award, Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

The cultural affairs ministry announced the names of the recipients today.

Alongside the 20 personalities, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute will also be awarded this year, said a notice signed by Md Faizur Rahman Faruqui, joint secretary of cultural affairs ministry.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will distribute give away the awards to the recipients or their representatives at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on February 20.

Aminul Islam Badsha (posthumous) has been selected for his role in the Language Movement.

Begum Dalia Nowshin, Shankar Roy and Mita Haque are being recognised for their contributions to music while Golam Mostafa Khan, SM Mohsin and Prof Farida Zaman for dance, performing arts and fine arts respectively.

Hazi Akhter Sarder (posthumous), Abdul Jabbar (posthumous) and AAM Mesbahul Haque (posthumous) have been chosen for their roles in the Liberation War.

Journalist Zafar Wazed (Ali Wazed Zafar) has been picked for the award for his contribution to journalism and Jahangir Alam, Hafez Qwari Syed Saifur Rahman Nizami Shah and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute for their roles in research while Prof Bikiran Prasad Barua for education.

Prof Shamsul Alam and Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman are getting the award for making contributions to economy and social service respectively.

Nurun Nabi, Sikder Aminul Haque (posthumous) and Begum Nazmun Nesa Piari have been selected for language and literature while Prof Sayeba Akhter for medical.

Each recipient will get a gold medal, a certificate and a cheque for Tk 2 lakh.