Muhith, Maqsudul, Bannya are among 14 named for 2016 Independence Award

The government has named Finance Minister AMA Muhith for this year’s Swadhinata Padak or Independence Award for his campaigns in favour of Bangladesh’s independence abroad during the Liberation War.

Scientist Maqsudul Alam, whose research in sequencing the DNA of the traditional variety of jute is widely recognised, has also been selected for the award.
 
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will hand the awards over to the 14 individuals at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Mar 24, according to a media release the government issued on Monday.
 
Besides the individuals, Bangladesh Navy has also been chosen for the award for its role during the Liberation War and protecting the country’s independence along the maritime borders.
 
The others include Tagore songs exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya. 
 
The government has also selected Abdus Salam and late Rafiqul Islam for leading the initiative to get Feb 21 recognised as International Mother Language Day.
 
The media release said Liberation War organiser Textiles and Jute Minister Md Emaz Uddin Pramanik will also receive the award.
 
It said Finance Minister Muhith will get the award under independence and Liberation War category for throwing his support behind the Government of Bangladesh while working in the then Pakistan embassy in the US during the war.
 
The 83-year-old has tailored nine national budgets.

Pramanik is getting the award for working in freedom fighters' training camp, operation camp and refugee camp in India.
 
Politician, freedom fighter and philanthropist late Moulovi Achmat Ali Khan has also been picked for the award under this category.
 
Retired Air Force squadron leader Bir Uttam Badrul Alam, who played a key role in forming the force after the Liberation War, will also be honoured.
 
The government also selected martyr Shah Abdul Majid, who led police to defend the Rajshahi Police Lines from the Pakistani occupation forces as the Rajshahi superintendent of police during the war.
 
The then Rangamati Mahakuma administrator M Abdul Ali, killed by the Pakistani forces for organising the Liberation War in 1971, has also been chosen.
 
Cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam is getting the award for conducting cultural activities in support of the Liberation War.
 
Late AKM Abdur Rauf, who left Pakistan's side to support Bangladesh while working in the then Pakistan High Commission in London during the war, will also be conferred with the honour.
 
KM Shehabuddin is also getting the award for defecting from the Pakistan Foreign Service in Delhi and pledge allegiance to Bangladesh. He later established the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi.
 
The government has also selected paediatricians Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan (MR Khan) for the award.