Dhaka, Mar 24 (bdnews24.com) — Country's nine distinguished personalities and organisations have received the coveted Independence Award 2011 in recognition of their contributions to society.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the most prestigious state award at a function at the Osmany Memorial Auditorium in the city on Thursday morning, two days ahead of the Independence and National Day.
The recipients are: Gaus Khan (posthumous), Sangharaj Jyotipal Mohathero (posthumous), Dr Nilima Ibrahim (posthumous), Air Vice Marshal (retd) Abdul Karim Khandakar, Bir Uttam, Shaheed Nutan Chandra Singh (posthumous), A K M Shamsuzzoha (posthumous), painter Abul Hashem Khan, Bangladesh Police and the University of Dhaka.
Of them, Hashem Khan and the Dhaka University got the award for their contributions to culture and education respectively.
The remaining personalities and the Bangladesh Police were honoured for their great role in the Liberation War.
Each award carries a gold medal, Tk 0.2 million and a citation.
Jahirul Islam Mohammad Khan received the award on behalf of his late father-in-law Gaus Khan, Sangharaj Jyotipal Mohathero Foundation's general secretary Shilbhadra Mohathero on behalf of the late Sangharaj Jyotipal Mohathero, Sitara Ahsanullah on behalf of her late mother Nilima Ibrahim, Prafulla Ranjan Singh for his late father Nutan Chandra Singh and Narayanganj district Awami League joint convenor Mofijul Islam received the award on behalf of late AKM Shamsuzzoha.
Abdul Karim Khandakar and Hashem Khan themselves received the award from the prime minister.
Vice-chancellor A A M S Arefin Siddique received the award for the Dhaka University, while inspector general of police Hasan Mahmud Khandkar for the Bangladesh Police.
GRATITUDE
Speaking at the function, the prime minister said, "The contributions of the award recipients will always be remembered and the young generation will be able to achieve success if they follow their works."
Hasina also expressed her gratitude to the countries, including Bhutan, India and Russia, which had extended their support to Bangladesh's Liberation War.
"I thank those who had stood beside the freedom-hungry people by providing them with arms and training," she said.
Recalling Sheikh Mujib's independence proclamation, Hasina said, "Bangabandhu had proclaimed the independence through the EPR wireless before his arrest."
"… He [Mujib] had said probably it's my last address. Bangladesh is independent from today and our victory is a must. Leaders of Swadhinata Sangram Parishad later played his address through PA system in each district," she said.
Hasina, also daughter of Mujib, said, "The Father of the Nation through his historic Mar 7 speech had sent out a message to the Pakistani ruler that the 70 million people of this country could not be dominated."
She went on: "Through the Mar 7 address, the [state] power was actually handed over to elected representatives of this region. The country would run as per the instructions of Bangabandhu he would give from his Dhanmondu 32 residence."
Hasina sought cooperation of all for further advancement and progress of the country.
She also said that her government was taking proper steps to keep the essential prices under control. "We're importing essentials at high prices and selling those at lower prices."
The prime minister also expressed her government's tough stance against militancy.
Cabinet members, prime minister's advisors, members of parliament, high officials, diplomats and eminent people attended the award-giving ceremony, organised by the Cabinet Division.
Cabinet secretary M A Aziz conducted the programme.
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