Twenty-one eminent people will get the Ekushey Padak, the country’s second-highest civilian award, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the names through a press released on Tuesday (Feb 13).

Mohammad Ashraf Uddin Ahmod, and freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (posthumous) have been selected for their roles in the Language Movement.

Besides, 11 people who received this award in various categories of art are - Jalal Uddin Khan (Posthumous), Freedom Fighter Kalyani Ghosh, Bidit Lal Das (Posthumous), Andrew Kishore (posthumous) and Shuvro Dev for music. 

Meanwhile, for acting Dolly Zahoor and MA Alamgir, Abriti Khan, Md. Mustafa Walid (Shimul Mustafa) and Rupa Chakraborty, Shibli Mohammad in dance and Shahjahan Ahmed Bikas in painting have been picked up for Ekushey Padak.

Kawsar Chowdhury named for the prestigious award in the production and archiving of documentary films related to the liberation war, in social service Md. Ziaul Haque and Alhaj Rafiq Ahmed.

Muhammad Samad, Lutfar Rahman Riton, Minar Mansoor and Rudra Muhammad Shahidullah (posthumous) for contributions in language and literature.

In addition, Professor Dr. Jinbodhi Bhikkhu is in this list.

Besides, two institutions -Bangladesh National Museum for education and Bidyanondo Foundation for social service- have been picked for the award.

BDST: 1946 HRS, FEB 13, 2024
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