Independence Award for 15 including Minister Muhith, Poet Goon

Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, the Independence Award, has been conferred on 15 individuals, including Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Poet Nirmalendu Goon, and on the Bangladesh Navy as an institution.

At a ceremony on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave away the awards, meant for contributions towards Bangladesh’s independence and nation-building.

Muhith had abandoned his foreign service career in 1971 while serving at the Pakistan embassy in the US and pledged allegiance to Bangladesh.

He had actively garnered public opinion abroad for the state struggling for independence.

The 83-year-old is a three times finance minister, who has presented the budget nine times.

Late Scientist Maqsudul Alam, whose research in sequencing the DNA of the traditional variety of jute is widely recognised, has been given the award this year.

Another Cabinet member, Md Emaz Uddin Pramanik got the award for his contributions during the 1971 Liberation War.

The textiles and jute minister was an organiser during the war and actively worked in training camps for the freedom-fighters in India.

Late Moulvi Achmat Ali Khan, a freedom-fighter, politician and philanthropist in Madaripur, was honoured for his contributions in 1971. His son Shajahan Khan is now the shipping minister.

Former Air Force Officer Badrul Alam Bir Uttam was honoured for his contributions in the 1971 war and later setting up the air force of the new-born nation.

Late Shah Abdul Majid, who was serving as the police chief in Rajshahi in 1971, has been given the award. He died while resisting the Pakistani forces, which attacked the Rajshahi Police Lines.

For efforts to organise a resistance in 1971, M Abdul Ali was honoured with the award this year. Ali, the then Rangamati administration chief, was killed by the Pakistani forces during the nine-month war.

Cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam received the award for conducting cultural activities in support of the Liberation War.

Tagore singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya got the award under the category of cultural activities.

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, has been also conferred with the honour.

Late Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam have been honoured for the campaigns, which led Feb 21 being recognised as the International Mother Language Day.

Paediatric specialist Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan (MR Khan) received the award in medical science.

And in literature, Poet Nirmalendu Goon received the award from the prime minister, who is his class-mate at the Dhaka University’s Bangla Department.

The Bangladesh Navy has been also chosen for the award this year for its contribution to the Liberation War.

The naval force was formed in July 1971 and it played an important role in warfare in riverine Bangladesh, especially the Operation Jackpot, which left 11 Pakistani ships sunk in Chittagong.

Bangladesh naval commandos sank 14 other ships at the ports of Chandpur, Mongla and Narayanganj during the war.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed received the award, on behalf of the force at the ceremony in the capital’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.