Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented the ‘Ekushey Padak 2024’ to 21 distinguished individuals on Tuesday, recognizing their exceptional contributions across various domains. The award ceremony, organized by the Cultural Affairs Ministry at Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium, coincided with ‘Amar Ekushey’ and International Mother Language Day-2024, reflecting the significance of the occasion.
Among the honorees, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed and Freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (Posthumous) were acknowledged for their pivotal roles in the Language Movement. Additionally, individuals like Jalal Uddin Kha (Posthumous), Freedom fighter Kalyani Ghosh, Bidit Lal Das (Posthumous), Andrew Kishore (Posthumous), and Subhro Deb were recognized for their noteworthy contributions to the realm of music. Notably, Shibli Mohammad, Dolly Zahur, and MA Alamgir were lauded for their excellence in dance and acting.
The prestigious Ekushey Padak was also conferred upon elocutionist Shimul Mustapha and Rupa Chakraborty. Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash and Kawsar Chowdhury received the award for their impactful contributions to painting and documentary films related to the Liberation War. Md Ziaul Haque and Rafiq Ahmed were honored for their commendable efforts in social services.
In the realm of language and literature, Muhammad Samad, Lutfur Rahman Riton, Minar Mansur, and Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah were acknowledged, while Jinabodhi Bhikkhu was celebrated for his notable contribution to education. The ceremony, presided over by Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed and conducted by Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain, showcased a diverse array of talent and dedication.
