Sanjida Khatun, Col Zahir picked for Padma Shri
Two Bangladeshis have been chosen by the Indian government for the prestigious Padma Shri award on the eve of India's Republic Day.
The two are Sanjida Khatun, Bangladesh's renowned musicologist and founder of Chhayanaut Institute, and Liberation War veteran Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir.
While Sanjida was chosen in the category of Art, Col Zahir was selected for the award in the category of "public affairs," a home ministry statement said last night.
Sanjida Khatun, 88, was one of the founders of Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha during the Liberation War in 1971 and of Chhayanaut in the early 1960s.
Having obtained her bachelor's degree in Bengali literature from Dhaka University in 1955, she did her master's in Bangla from Visva Bharati University in 1957.
She has won many prestigious awards in both Bangladesh and India such as Deshikottoma title in 2012 from Visva-Bharati University and Rabindra Award in 2010, Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1998, Ekushey Padak in 1991 and Kabi Jasimuddin Award.
Col Quazi Sajjadi Ali was in the artillery corps of the Pakistan army posted in Sialkot when he declared his allegiance to Bangladesh and joined the Liberation War after escaping from Pakistan in August 1971.
Zahir, 70, organised the second artillery force in Sector 4 in Sylhet region.
The Indian government had given six 105mm artillery to the Mukti Bahini and with that a field artillery battery group was formed for the freedom fighters. Zahir was the co-captain of the group, which assisted the Mukti Bahini's Z Force in greater Sylhet region with artillery fire support in various battles.
In 2013, Zahir was awarded the Bangladesh Independence Day Award -- the highest civilian award -- for his contribution to the Liberation War.
He is considered instrumental in persuading the Bangladesh government to recognise the Indian soldiers killed in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He also founded Shuddhoi Muktijoddho to provide recognition to indigenous war veterans of the Bangladesh Liberation war.
The Padma Shri awards are presented in different categories to winners by India's president in March or April every year.
These awards are always announced on the night before India's Republic Day every year.
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