Independence Awards go to 10 people, 1 institution

Bangladesh is awarding the Swadhinata Padak, or Independence Award, to ten individuals and one institution in appreciation of their significant and praiseworthy accomplishments at the national level.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh's Cabinet Division unveiled the recipients of the country's highest civilian honor.

The prize will be awarded to Liberation War organizer Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, martyred Bir Bikrom Colonel Khondkar Nazmul Huda, and Dr Kanak Kanti Barua.

Abdul Jalil, Siraj Uddin Ahmed, Md Sohiuddin Biswas, and Sirajul Haque will also get the prize for their efforts to the Liberation War and Bangladesh's independence, with Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury and Colonel Khondkar Nazmul Huda.

The contributions of Dr Kanak Kanti Barua and Dr Md Kamrul Islam to medicine have been recognized.

Md Amir Hamza will be honored for his literary efforts, while Syed Mainul Hossain will be honored for his architectural achievements.

Among the posthumous awardees were Lias Ahmed Chowdhury, Colonel Khondkar Nazmul Huda, Md Sohiuddin Biswas, Sirajul Haque, Md Amir Hamza, and Syed Mainul Hossain.

The award will also go to the Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute.

Since 1977, Bangladesh has given the award to individuals and organisations each year on the eve of its Independence Day on March 26.

A gold medal, a replica of the award, and a certificate are presented to the winners. In 2020, the prize money was increased from Tk 300,000 to Tk 500,000.