Qayyum Chowdhury gets Independence Award

Nine personalities including artist Qayyum Chowdhury and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute have been nominated for Independence Award.

The Cabinet announced this in a press release on Sunday.

Artist Qayyum Chowdhury is being awarded for his contribution to culture this year. He took part in the Liberation War and has been active in all democratic, progressive and pro-liberation movements.

Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute has been nominated for the award on “Research and Training” in recognition of its contribution to agriculture, research and development.

Former MNA Mohammad Abul Khair has been nominated for the Independence Award (posthumous). He recorded and preserved the speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's March 7, 1971 speech under difficult situations.

Former Superintendent of Police Munshi Kabir Uddin Ahmad has been nominated for the Independence Award (posthumous).

While serving as Superintendent of Police in Comilla during the Lberation War, he refused to hand over the arsenal key to the Brigade Commander of the then Comilla Cantonment.

He was captured and killed by the Pakistani forces.

Former Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shahid Kazi Azizul Islam has been nominated for the award (posthumous).

While serving in Barisal as ADC, he actively helped the Liberation War.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Abu Osman Chowdhury has also been nominated for the Independence Award.

Independence Award

During the Liberation War, he served as captain of the Liberation War Sector-8. He staged a revolt against Pakistan along with the troops under him on March 26, 1971.

Khashruzzaman Chowdhury, SBM Mizanur Rahman and Mohammad Haris Ali, too, have been chosen for the award (posthumous).

While serving as the Kishoreganj Sub-Divisional Commissioner, Kahshruzzaman actively participated in the Lberation War on March 26, 1971.

While in the government service, Mizanur Rahman joined the Liberation War and embraced martyrdom at the hands of Pakistani forces in Pirojpur on May 5, 1971.

Haris had played a role in organising youths for the Liberation War. He had also served as the District Sub-Sector Regimental Medical Officer under Sector 5 in 1971.

Language veteran and former MNA Md Kamaruzzaman has been nominated for an Independence Award (posthumous).

The Independence Award is the country’s highest civil award, which is given each year ahead of Independence Day, March 26.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally hand over the awards at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on March 25.