A total of 21 people have been named for the prestigious ‘Ekushey Padak’ this year for their contributions in the field of literature, culture, and research.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs published the list of awardees signed by Joint Cultural Secretary Md Faizur Rahman Faruqui on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially hand over the awards to the recipients on Feb 20 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
The recipients of the Ekushey Padak in 2019 are-
Professor Halima Khatun (posthumous) and Advocate Golam Arif Tipu and Prof Monowara Islam will be receiving the award for the language movement.
Subir Nandi, Azam Khan (posthumous), Khairul Anam Shakil will be receiving the Ekushey Padak for their contribution to music.
Meanwhile, Lucky Inam, Subarna Mustafa and Liaquat Ali Lucky will be conferred the award for drama and Sayeeda Khanam and Jamal Uddin Ahmed for photography and fine arts respectively.
Khitindra Chandra Boishya will receive the award in the field of the Liberation War. Dr Biswajit Ghosh and Dr Mahbubul Haque will be receiving it for their outstanding contribution to the field of research.
Rizia Rahman has been nominated for the award for her contribution in the field of education and Imdadul Haq Milon, Ashim Saha, Dr Anwara Syeda Haq, Mainul Ahsan Saber and Harishankar Jaladas will receive it for language and literature.
Each recipient will get a gold medal, a certificate and a cheque of Tk 200,000.
The Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian awards in Bangladesh, was introduced by the government in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement. This award was first conferred in 1976.
This award is given to individuals in recognition of their phenomenal contribution in their respective fields.