Hasina hands out Independence Awards

Nine individuals have been awarded Independence Awards this year in recognition of their contributions to various sectors and to Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave out the awards at the Osmani auditorium on Tuesday. Former Pakistan National Assembly member Mohammad Abul Khayer was given the award posthumously for his contributions to Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Abul Khayer recorded and preserved the March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under difficult circumstances. Another posthumous award was given to Munshi Kabir Uddin Ahmed, who was the superintendent of Comilla police at the time of the war. He had refused to hand over the keys of the police armoury to the brigade commander of Comilla cantonment and later became a martyr at the hands of the occupation army. Artist Qayyum Chowdhury was awarded for his contribution to culture this year. He took part in 1971 Liberation War and has been active in all democratic, progressive and pro-liberation movements. BARI was awarded for “Research and Training” in recognition of its contribution to agriculture, research and development. Former Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shahid Kazi Azizul Islam was awarded posthumously. While serving in Barisal as ADC, he actively helped the Liberation War. Lieutenant Colonel Md Abu Osman Chowdhury was also given the Independence Award. During the Liberation War, he served as captain of the Liberation War Sector-8. He revolted against Pakistan with the troops under his command on March 26, 1971. Khashruzzaman Chowdhury, SBM Mizanur Rahman and Mohammad Haris Ali were also given the award posthumously. While serving as the Kishoreganj Sub-Divisional Commissioner, Kahshruzzaman actively participated in the Liberation War on Mar 26, 1971. While in the government service, Mizanur Rahman joined the Liberation War and embraced martyrdom at the hands of occupation forces in Pirojpur on May 5, 1971. Language veteran and former MNA Md Kamaruzzaman was also given the Independence Award posthumously, according to bdnews24.com.