Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has distributed the Independence Day Award amongst awardees in the capital on Tuesday.
The awardees are former parliamentarian Mohammad Abul Khayer, martyred police officer Munsi Kabir Uddin Ahmed, former additional deputy commissioner of Barisal Kazi Azizul Islam, former sub-divisional officer of Kishoreganj Khasruzzaman Chowdhury, SBM Mizanur Rahman and Dr Haris Ali.
Lt Col (rtd) Abu Usman Chowdhury, the commander of Sector 8 during the 1971 war, also received the award in the same category.
Principal M Kamruzzaman got the award posthumously for his contributions to education, while eminent artist Qayyum Chowdhury was awarded for his mark in the cultural arena.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute was given the award for contributions to agriculture research.
Each recipient got Tk1 lakh, a gold medal and a certificate from the government.
The Independence Day Award, Bangladesh’s highest state award, was introduced by the government in 1977.
The award recognises outstanding contributions to the Liberation War, the 1952 Language Movement and sectors such as education, literature, science and technology, medical sciences, journalism, public service, social science, cultural activities, sports, fine arts and rural development.