PM stresses protection of own language

Ekushey Padak handed over to 21 eminent citizens

FE Team | Published: February 20, 2019 23:36:53

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed on Wednesday the importance of protection and practice of own language and culture for ensuring a healthy environment for the future generation, reports UNB.
"It's our duty to protect, exercise and take forward our independence, language rights and culture and create a good environment for the next generation," she said while addressing a function marking the distribution of Ekushey Padak-2019 in the city.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs arranged the function at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Urging all to come forward to build the motherland, she said, "We want the next generation to lead decent life and enjoy the fruits of what we've achieved through our struggles."
Noting that Bangladesh is marching forward and will continue to do so, she said the people of the country would move at the global stage keeping their head high as the Ekushey (Language Movement) taught them not to bow down.
"Ekushey has taught us how to protect our own existence, mother tongue, culture and tradition as well as show respect to all this," Sheikh Hasina said.
She said her government's goal is to take Bangladesh a dignified position. "We've been working to accomplish that goal," she added.
The Prime Minister distributed the coveted Ekushey Padak-2019 among 21 eminent citizens for their contribution to their respective fields.
The Prime Minister handed over the Ekushey Padak, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, to the awardees or their family members.
Prof Halima Khatun (posthumous), Advocate Golam Arif Tipu and Prof Monowara Islam got the award for their role in the Language Movement.
Subir Nandi, Azam Khan (posthumous) and Khairul Anam Shakil won the award for their contributions to music while Lucky Enam, Suborna Mustafa and Liaquat Ali Lucky for performing arts.
Sayeda Khanam and Jamal Uddin Ahmed were honoured with the award for their contributions to photography and fine arts respectively while Khitindra Chandra Baishya was given the Ekushey Padak for his role in the Liberation War.
Dr Biswajit Ghosh and Dr Mahbubul Haque were conferred on the award for their research while Dr Pranab Kumar Barua was awarded for his contribution to education.
Rizia Rahman, Imdadul Haq Milon, Ashim Saha, Anwara Syed Haq, Mainul Ahsan Saber and Harishankar Jaladas received the award for contributions to language and literature.
Each recipient got a gold medal, a certificate and a cheque for Tk 200 thousand (2.0 lakh).