Sanjeeda Khatun, Col Quazi Zaheer to get India’s Padma Shri awards

India has nominated renowned Bangladeshis – musicologist Dr Sanjeeda Khatun and Lt Col (retd) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zaheer – for this year's Padma Shri awards.

The Indian Home Ministry made the announcement on Monday night.

The fourth highest civilian award in India, the Padma is conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

These awards that recognize outstanding contributions of individuals in various fields are announced every year on the eve of India's Republic Day and conferred by India’s president in March-April.

Khatun, 87, a musicologist, was one of the founders of Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha during the Liberation War in 1971 and Chhayyanaut in the early 1960s.

Lt Col (retd) Quazi is a veteran of the 1971 Liberation War. He joined the Bangladesh Liberation War in September 1971. He organized the 2nd Artillery Force under Sector 4 in the Sylhet region. The Bangladesh government awarded him the title of Bir Protik for his bravery in the war.

In 2013, the former army officer was awarded the Bangladesh Independence Day Award, the highest civilian award, for his contribution to the Liberation War.

The Indian government has also nominated former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe for this year's Padma awards, the Indian Home Ministry said in a release.