Eight receive Independence Awards

Eight prominent personalities were honoured with the Independence Award on Monday -- among them MA Hannan who had declared Independence on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman immediately after the Pakistani crackdown in 1971.

Hannan was given the award posthumously.

Acting President and Speaker Abdul Hamid has also been given the Independence Award for his contributions during Liberation war of 1971.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the highest civilian awards at a programme arranged in Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The others who received the Independence Award were Mohammad Shamsul Haque (posthumous), Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Kazi Sazzad Ali, Dr Abdul Hamid Miah, Swadesh Ranjan Bose (posthumous) and Satya Saha (posthumous).

MA Hannan had declared Independence on behalf of Bangabandhu from Chittagong’s Kalurghat radio station on Mar 26 in 1971. His son Syed Mohammad Faruk took the award on his behalf.

Martyred Police Superintendent Mohammad Shamsul Haque (posthumous) was awarded for his role during the Liberation War in Chittagong. He was killed by the Pakistan army.

Speaker of the House Advocate Mohammad Abdul Hamid was an active participant of the Liberation War. His wife Rashida Hamid took the award on his behalf.

Freedom fighter Dr Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain contributed greatly to liberate Dhaka’s Mirpur in the beginning of the year 1972.

Freedom fighter Lt Colonel (rtd) Kazi Sazzad Ali Zahir (Bir Protik) will receive the award for his special contributions in identifying almost 4,000 graves of freedom fighters in India and also for his efforts in bringing back their last remains.

Dr Mohammad Abdul Hamid Miah was bestowed the honour for his research on agriculture and its development.

The trio were present and took the awards personally from the Prime Minister.

Language movement activist, freedom fighter and economist Swadesh Ranjan Bose (posthumous) was awarded for his contributions to economics, while celebrated composer, actor and film maker Satya Saha (posthumous) for his contribution to culture.

Swadesh Bose's wife Nurjahan Bose and Satya Saha's wife Ramala Saha received the Award on behalf of their husbands who are no more.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over an 18-carat gold medal (50gm), a certificate of Honour and a cheque of Tk 200,000 to all the recipients.

The government of Bangladesh have been giving the Independence Awards since 1977 on occasion of Mar 26, the Independence Day of Bangladesh. Until now, 194 individuals and 23 institutions have been honoured with the Independence Award.