The government has conferred Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, the Independence Award, on former prime minister Khaleda Zia, 14 individuals, and five organisations this year.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally handed over the awards to the recipients in recognition of their outstanding and distinguished contributions at the national level.
The awards were presented during a ceremony organised by the Cabinet Division at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Thursday afternoon.
Zaima Rahman accepted the posthumous award on behalf of her grandmother, receiving the medal from the prime minister.
The former prime minister and BNP chairperson was honoured for her overall contributions to independence, democracy, female education, and nation-building.
Tarique Rahman’s wife, Zubaida Rahman, and Khaleda Zia’s sister, Selima Islam, also attended the event.
The ceremony was also attended by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, cabinet members, members of parliament, justices, the chiefs of the three services, and senior government officials.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the proceedings at the auditorium.
The Cabinet Division had previously announced the names of the nominees for this year’s Independence Award on March 5.
Including Khaleda Zia, seven individuals received the honour posthumously this year.
The other recipients are Maj Md Abdul Jalil for his role in the Liberation War, Dr Ashraf Siddiqui for literature, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Maherin Chowdhury for social service, Bashir Ahmed for culture, and Kazi Fazlur Rahman for public administration.
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