Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people to reinforce the unity that they had shown against anti-liberation forces during the 10th parliamentary elections and save the nation from disaster.
“Like 1971, the nation resisted the terrorists and anti- liberation forces in the January 5 general elections, paving the ways for the country’s continuous development,” she said while distributing the “Swadhinata Puraskar” yesterday.
The premier said her government was striving to retrieve the spirit of the liberation war by building Bangladesh into a secular, democratic and peaceful country as well as attaining economic prosperity.
She said Bangladesh was ruled by anti- liberation forces and their agents for a long time. They destroyed the valour, dignity and elation that the nation earned through the 1971 war.
This year nine eminent persons and one renowned organisation received the Swadhinata Puraskar, the highest state award in recognition for their outstanding contribution to different levels of the society.
In the category of “Independence and Liberation War” the award was given to Mohammad Abul Khayer (posthumously), Shahid Munsi Kabir Uddin Ahmed (posthumously), Shahid Qazi Azizul Islam (posthumously), Lt Col Abu Osman Chowdhury (retd), Dr Khrasuzzaman Chowdhury (posthumously), Shahid SBM Mizanur Rahman (posthumously), and Dr Mohammad Haris Ali (posthumously).
M Quamruzzaman was given the award (posthumously) for his contribution to education, while noted artist Quiyum Chowdhury was awarded in the category of culture.
Meanwhile, the Swadhinata Award was conferred to Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute for its outstanding contribution to research and training.
Sheikh Hasina formally handed over the award to the recipients and their relatives at a function at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital.
Congratulating the Swadhinata Puraskar recipients, the premier said a new generation would follow the awardees, adding that a nation that became independent through a war and enormous sacrifices, could make the country economically independent and could certainly stand on its own feet.
Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the citation on the award recipients and conducted the function organised by the Cabinet Division.
