Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the "Ekushey Padak 2024" to 21 eminent individuals and two organizations on Tuesday on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.

The Head of the Government will hand over the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, at a programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital at 11 am.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the occasion of awarding the Ekushey Padak.

Earlier on February 13, the government announced the names of 21 eminent citizens and two organizations for the "Ekushey Padak-2024" for their outstanding contributions in respective fields.

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: 2107 HRS, FEB 19, 2024
MSK