Ten noted individuals have been nominated for the highest civilian award Swadhinata Padak, also known as the Independence Award, this year for their outstanding contributions to the country.

The Cabinet Division declared the names of the award recipients in a notification on Friday.

Kazi Abdus Sattar, valiant freedom fighter Flight Sergeant Md Fazlul Haque (posthumous), and valiant freedom fighter Shaheed Abu Naim Md Najib Uddin Khan (Khurram) (posthumous) have been nominated for the award in the “Independence and Liberation War” category.

Dr Mubarak Ahmad Khan will receive the award for his contribution to science and technology, while Dr Hari Shankar Das for his contribution to medicine.

Mohammad Rafiquzzaman and Firoza Khatun have been nominated under the “Culture” and “Sports” categories respectively.

Besides, in the field of social services/public services, Aranna Chiran, valiant freedom fighter Prof Mollah Obaydullah Baki, and SM Abraham Lincoln will get the highest state award.

The government has been giving this award every year since 1977 on the occasion of Independence Day on 26 March.

The awardees get Tk5 lakh in cash, an 18-carat gold medal of 50gm, a replica of the medal, and a certificate.

BDST: 1433 HRS, MAR 15, 2024
MSK