PM for more use of Bangla

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed on the need for expanded use of Bangla language and literature in all spheres of life to build a 'golden Bengal'.

She has also urged to spread the spirit of language movement among the new generation so that they can effectively counter those who opposed the independence of Bangladesh.

Hasina was handing over the Ekushey Padak to 15 distinguished personalities for their contributions in their respective fields at a ceremony at the Osmani memorial auditorium on Thursday.

“This award is the acknowledgement of your talent and hard work. We hope you will continue to play a vital role in enriching the Bangla language and literature,” she said.

The award was introduced in 1976 in memory of the martyrs of the 1952 language movement.

This year's recipients are: Dr Badrul Alam (posthumous) and Shamsul Huda for language movement; Keramat Maola and SM Solaiman (posthumous) in art; Dr Anupam Sen (education); Samarjit Roy Chowdhury (painting); Ramkanai Das (folk music);

Poet Belal Chowdhury, author Abdus Shakur (posthumous), poet Rashid Haider, Jamil Chowdhury and Bipradas Barua (language and literature).

Others who received the Ekushey Padak are: Golam Sarwar (journalism); Enamul Haque (research); and Mujibur Rahman (social work).

Each recipient gets Tk 100,000, a gold medal and a certificate.