Freedom Fighter Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir receives India's Padma Shri honour

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred Bangladesh's Liberation War veteran Lt Col (Retd) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir with Padma Shri, one of India's most prestigious civilian awards, in recognition of his contribution to public affairs.

Sajjad Ali Zahir was handed over a medal and a citation as part of Padma Shri for 2021 at a civil investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi this morning, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The citation described 71-year-old Zahir as "Bangladesh Liberation War Veteran, and founder of 'Shudhoi Muktijuddho' providing recognition to indigenous war veterans."

Zahir had taken part in the Liberation War in Sylhet region in 1971.

Career diplomat Syed Muazzem Ali (posthumously) was honoured with Padma Bhushan and scholar Enamul Haque with Padma Shri by Kovind at a separate investiture function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday.