Independence Day Award

Infobox award
name = Independence Day Award
( _bn. স্বাধীনতা দিবস পুরস্কার)
current_awards =


imagesize = 180px
caption = The gold medal
description = recognition of substantial contribution to any fields in national life.
presenter = Government of Bangladesh
country = flagicon|BAN Bangladesh
location = Dhaka, Bangladesh
year = 1977
year2 = 2008
Type = The Highest National Civilian Award
website =

The Independence Day Award ( _bn. স্বাধীনতা দিবস পদক), [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?page=list&lang=bn Independence Day Award, Cabinet Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh ] ] also termed Independence Award ( _bn. স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কার), is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh. Introduced in 1977, this award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations in recognition of substantial contribution to one of many fields, including the War of Liberation, the language movement, education, literature, journalism, public service, science and technology, medical science, social science, song, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other areas.

Each awardee receives a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and a sum of cash.Citation | last = Khan | first = Sanjida | last2 = | first2 =| contribution = National Awards| editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 | contribution-url =http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/N_0081.htm] The amount of the cash reward was originally taka 20 thousandBooklet of Independence Award 2007. Cabinet Division. Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. pp. 1] , but was subsequently increased to taka one lac (.10 million in Bangladeshi currency) in 2004. A cabinet committee on national awards prepares the list of each year's nominees and forwards the list to the head of the government for final approval.cite news |first=|last=|authorlink= |author=Staff Correspondent |coauthors= |title= Rab, Betar on revised list of nominees |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/03/14/d60314011816.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |id=Vol 5 Num 637 |language=English|date= 2005-03-14|accessdate=2008-01-16] The award is traditionally presented on the eve of Independence day in Bangladesh at a much publicized ceremony attended by several cabinet and parliament members and distinguished society guests.

In 2006, the award generated some controversy as the initial list was not accepted by the Prime Minister. Furthermore, the award to the Rapid Action Battalion was criticized by many [cite news |first=|last=|authorlink= |author=BD News |coauthors= |title= SC Bar demands judicial probe into 'crossfire' killings in "Law and our Rights"|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/law/2006/04/01/week.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |id=issue 232 |language=English|date= 2006-04-01|accessdate=2008-01-16] because of RAB's alleged involvement in extra-judicial killings.

List of awardees

The following people have received the Independence Day Award since its inception. [Booklet of Independence Award 2007. Cabinet Division. pp. 1-50]

1977

In the year 1977, the first year of the award, 10 individuals were awarded in recognition of their contribution:
*Mawlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani (Social work; posthumous)
* Kazi Nazrul Islam (Literature; posthumous)
* Dr. Mokarram Hussain Khundker (Science and technology; posthumous)
* Zainul Abedin (Arts; posthumous)
* Mahbub Alam Chashi (Rural Development)
* Brig. Mahmudur Rahman Choudhury (Medical Science)
* Dr. Md. Zafrullah Chowdhury (Population Control)
* Begum Runa Laila (Music)
* Habildar Mostak Ahmad (Sports)
* Enayet Karim (Welfare; posthumous)

1978

In the year 1978, 8 individuals were awarded:
* Poet Jasimuddin (Literature; posthumous)
* Dr. Mazharul Haque (Education; posthumous)
* Ranada Prasad Saha (Social Welfare; posthumous)
* Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim (Social Welfare)
* Dr. Shah Muhammad Hasanuzzaman (Science and Technology)
* Abdul Ahad (Music)
* Mahfuzul Haque (Rural Development)
* Alamgir M. A. Kabir (Population Control)

1979

In the year 1979, 9 individuals and, for the first time, 1 organization were awarded:
* Abul Mansur Ahmed (Literature; posthumous)
* Dr.Qazi Motahar Hossain (Science and Technology)
* Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed Choudhury (Education; posthumous)
* Feroza Begum (Music)
* Samar Das (Music)
*Fuljhuri Khan (Music)
* Kamrul Hassan (Arts)
* Begum Tahera Kabir (Social Welfare)
*Nur Mohammad Mandal (Population Control)

1980

In the year 1980, 7 individuals were awarded:
* Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah (Edication; posthumous)
* Mawlana Abu Zafar Mohammad Saleh (Edication)
* Alhaz Zahir Uddin (Social work; posthumous)
* Poet Farrukh Ahmed (Literature; posthumous)
* Shaheed Munir Chowdhury (Science and Technology; posthumous)
* Sohrab Hossain (Music)
* Dr. Khondokar Ameer Hasan (Science and Technology)

1981

In the year 1981, 8 individuals were awarded:
*Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan (Journalism; posthumous)
*Abbas Uddin Ahmed (Music; posthumous)
*Major Abdul Ghani (Social work; posthumous)
*Begum Samsun Nahar Mahmud (Social work; posthumous)
*Abbas Mirja (Sports; posthumous)
*Dewan Mohammad Azraf (Literature)
*Waliullah patwari (Education)
*Ustad Khadem Hossain Khan (Music)

1982

In the year 1982, 5 individuals were awarded:
* Dr. Abdur Rashid (Education; posthumous)
* Kazi Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain (Social work; posthumous)
* Syed Murtaza Ali (Literature; posthumous)
* Anwarul Haque (Fine Arts; posthumous)
* Begum Feroza Bari (Social service)

1983

In the year 1983, 4 individuals and 1 organization were awarded:
*Poet Abdul Kadir (Literature)
*Dr. Muhammad Enamul Haque (Education; posthumous)
*Dr. Sirajul Haque (Education)
*Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (Medical Science)

1984

In the year 1984, 6 individuals and 2 institutes were awarded:
*Dr. Muhammad Qudrat-i-Khuda [Citation | last = Murshed| first = Md Mahbub| last2 = | first2 = | contribution = Qudrat-i-Khuda, Muhammad | editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 |accessdate=2008-01-17 | contribution-url =http://search.com.bd/banglapedia/HT/Q_0015.htm]
*Mohammad Nasir Uddin (Journalism)
*Professor Muhammad Mansur Udin (Literature)
*Shah Abul Hasnat Mohammad Ismail (Literature)
*Ustad Ayet Ali Khan (Music) [Citation | last = Khan| first = Mobarak Hossain| last2 = | first2 = | contribution = Khan, (Ustad) Ayet Ali | editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 |accessdate=2008-01-17 | contribution-url =http://search.com.bd/banglapedia/HT/K_0168.htm]
* Rashid Uddin Choudhury, better known as Bulbul Choudhury (Dance; posthumous)
*Didar Sarbik Gram Unnayan Samabay Somity (Rural Development)
*Kumudini Welfare Trust (Social service)

1985

In the year 1985, only 1 person was awarded:
*General Mohammad Ataul Gani Osmani (Social Welfare; posthumous)

1986

In the year 1986, 2 individuals and 1 organization were awarded:
*Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development, Comilla (Rural Development)
*Professor Mofiz-Ud-Din Ahmed (Science and Technology)
*Md. Mosharraf Hossain (Sports)

1987

In the year 1987, 3 individuals and 1 organization were awarded:
*M. Hossain Ali (Social work)
*Professor Syed Ali Ahsan (Literature)
*Professor Muhammad Yunus (Rural Development) [cite web |url=http://www.gdrc.org/icm/grameen-yunusbio.html |title=PROFESSOR MUHAMMAD YUNUS |accessdate=2008-01-17 |author= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Grameen Bank, Bangladesh |pages= |language=English]
*Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Transfusion (Medical Science)

1988

In the year 1988, 2 individuals were awarded:
*Aminul Islam (fine arts)
*Md. Nurul Alam (Posthumously) (Social work)

1989

In the year 1989, 2 individuals were awarded:
*Professor Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman (Medical Science and Social work)
*Niaz Morshed (Sports)

1990

In the year 1990, 2 individuals were awarded:
*Professor Aminul Islam (Science and Technology)
*Muhamad Yasin (Rural Development)

1991

In the year 1991, 3 individuals were awarded:
*Naeb Subedar Shah Alam (Sports)
*Poet Shamsur Rahman (Literature)
*Professor Md. Innas Ali (Science and Technology)

1992

In the year 1992, 2 individuals and 1 organization were awarded:
*Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (Science and Technology)
*Professor Kazi Jaker Hossain (Education)
*Zahir Raihan (Literature; posthumous)

1993

In the year 1993, 5 individuals were awarded:
*Kazi Abdul Alim (Sports)
*Principal Abul Kashem (Education)
*S M Sultan (Finearts)
*Zahanara Begum (Rural Development)
*A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury (Medical Science)

1994

In the year 1994, 4 individuals and 1 organization were awarded:
*Directorate of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (Science & Technology) [cite web |url=http://www.gsb.gov.bd/achievements.html |title=Achievements |accessdate=2008-01-17 |author= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Geological Survey of Bangladesh |pages= |language=English]
* Ahsan Habib (Literature; posthumous)
* Atiqur Rahman (Sports)
* Mobarak Hossein Khan (Music)
* Grameen Bank (Rural Development)

1995

In the year 1995, 7 individuals were awarded:
*Dr. Abdullah Al-Muti Sharfuddin (Science and Technology)
*Alhaz Moulavi Kazi Ambar Ali (Education)
*Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad (Literature; posthumous)
*Begum Ferdousy Rahman (Music)
*Begum Syed Iqbal Mand Banu (Social Service)
*Mohammad Zakaria Pintu (Sports)
*Syed Mohammad Ali (Journalism)

1996

In the year 1996, 8 individuals were awarded:
* Moulavi Abdul Hashim (Literature)
* Anjuman Mufidul Islam (Social work)
* Mohammad Abdul Zabbar (Music)
* Sabina Yasmin (Music)
* Professor A. M. Zahurul Haq (Science and Technology)
* Dr. Kazi Abul Mansur (Medical Science)
* Kazi Md. Salahuddin (Sports)
* Safiuddin Ahmed (Fine arts)

1997

In the year 1997, 10 individuals were awarded:
* Dr. Munshi Siddique Ahmed (Science and Technology)
* Dr. Nurul Islam [cite web |url=http://www.paspk.org/fellow4.htm|title=Islam, Nurul|accessdate=2008-01-17 |author= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=Fellows of the Academy |publisher=Pakistan Academy of Science |pages= |language=English] (Medical Science)
* Professor Kabir Chowdhury (Education)
* Professor Abdul Matin (Education)
* Begum Sufia Kamal [Citation | last = Zaman| first = Niaz| last2 = | first2 = | contribution = Kamal, Begum Sufia | editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 |accessdate=2008-01-17 | contribution-url =http://search.com.bd/banglapedia/HT/K_0054.htm] (Literature)
* Shawkat Osman [Citation | last = Huq| first = Syed Azizul| last2 = | first2 = | contribution =Osman, Shawkat | editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 |accessdate=2008-01-17 | contribution-url =http://search.com.bd/banglapedia/HT/O_0046.htm] (Literature)
* Abdul Alim (Music; posthumous)
* Jahanara Imam (Social work)
* Justice Syed Mohammad Hossein (Social work)
* Dhirendranath Datta (Language and Independence Movements; posthumous)

1998

In the year 1998, 10 individuals were awarded:
* Shahidullah Kaiser (Literature)
* Dr. Abdul Mosabber Chowdhury (Science and Technology)
* Sheikh Fazilatunnisa Mujib (Liberation War)
* Syed Nazrul Islam (Liberation War)
* Tajuddin Ahmed (Liberation War)
* Captain Monsur Ali (Liberation War)
* A. H. M. Kamruzzaman (Liberation War)
* Abdur Rab Serniabad (Liberation War)
* Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni (Liberation War)
* Sheikh Kamal (Sports)

1999

In the year 1999, 11 individuals were awarded:
* Mazharul Islam (architecture) [cite web |url=http://www.muzharulislam.com/biodata.html|title=Biodata of Muzharul Islam|accessdate=2008-01-17 |author= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=Muzharul Islam Archive |publisher=Muzharul Islam Foundation |pages= |language=English]
* Fazlur Rahman Khan (architecture) [Citation | last = Hoque| first = Rashimul | last2 = | first2 = | contribution =Khan, Fazlur Rahman | editor-last = Islam | editor-first = Sirajul | editor-link = Sirajul Islam | title = Banglapedia: national encyclopedia of Bangladesh | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh | place = Dhaka | isbn = 9843205766 | publication-date = 2003 |accessdate=2008-01-17 | contribution-url =http://a-bangladesh.com/banglapedia/HT/K_0187.htm]
* Mohammad Kibria (fine arts) [cite web |url=http://www.bengalfoundation.org/gallery/00-4-14/profile.html|title=Mohammad Kibria|accessdate=2008-01-17 |author= |date= |year=2005 |month= |format= |work=artict profile |publisher=Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts|pages= |language=English]
* Sikandar Abu Jafar (Literature)
* Brojen Das (Sports)
* Begum Badrunnesa Ahmed (Social Work)
* Kalim Sharafi (Music)
* Professor A. Q. M. Bazlul Karim (Education)
* Professor A. F. Salahuddin Ahmed (Education)
* Abdus Samad Azad (Liberation War)
* Professor Rashiduddin Ahmed (Medical Science)

2000

In the year 2000, 10 individuals were awarded: [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2000&Submit=GO&lang=en 2000 award] ]
* Syed Shamsul Haque (Literature)
* Binodbihari Chowdhury (Social Work)
* Ajit Ray (Music)
* Ustad Khursheed Khan (Music)
* Sardar Fazlul Karim (Education)
* Shahabuddin (Painting)
* Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish (Literature)
* Major Gn. Mohammad Abdur Rab (Bir Uttom) (Liberation War)
* Sultana Kamal (Sports)
* Rokonuzzaman Khan (Children Organizer)

2001

In the year 2001, 10 individuals and 1 organization were awarded: [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2001&Submit=GO&lang=en 2001 award] ]
* Sayeda Motahera Banu (Literature)
* Shaheed Mashiur Rahman (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Alhaz Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* M. A. Aziz (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Muhammad Mayezuddin (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Ruhul Quddus (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Aminuddin (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Dr. Zikrul Haque (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Ashfaqur Rahman Khan (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* M. R. Akhtar Mukul (Journalism)
* Bangladesh Cricket Board (Sports)

2002

In the year 2002, 4 individuals and 1 organization were awarded: [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2002&Submit=GO&lang=en 2002 award] ]
* Hasan Hafizur Rahman (Literature)
* Barin Majumder (Music)
* Abdul Latif (Music)
* S. A. Bari (Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Dhaka Ahsania Mission (Social work)

2003

In the year 2003, 2 individuals were awarded: [cite web |url=http://www.minlaw.gov.bd/bdf2004.htm |title=Promoting Good Governance and Human Security |accessdate=2008-01-17 |author=Ahmed, Moudud |date=2004-05-09 |work=Bangladesh Development Forum-2004 |publisher=Ministry of Law, Government of Bangladesh] [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2003&Submit=GO&lang=en 2003 award] ]
*Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh; posthumous)
*Ziaur Rahman (Independence and Liberation War of Bangladesh; posthumous)

2004

In the year 2004, 7 individuals and 3 organizations were awarded: [cite news |first=Dhaka |last=UNB |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= Independence Award 2004 handed over |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/03/26/d40326012120.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |id=Vol 4 Num 294 |language=English|date= 2004-03-26|accessdate=2008-01-16] [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2004&Submit=GO&lang=en 2004 award] ]
* Oli Ahad (Liberation war),
* Comrade Moni Singh (Liberation war; posthumous)
* Brig (retd) Prof Abdul Malik (medical science)
* Muhammad Siddiq Khan (education; posthumous)
* Abu Ishaque (literature; posthumous)
* Altaf Mahmud (culture; posthumous)
* Valrie Ann Taylor (Social work)
* Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (sports)
* Rural Development Academy (rural development)
* Sandhani (Social work)

2005

In the year 2005, 1 individual and 1 organization were awarded: [cite news |first=Dhaka |last=BDNEWS |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= Get united to protect independence: PM; Mujibul Huq, ICDDR,B representative receive Independence Award 2005 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/03/25/d50325060154.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |id=Vol 5 Num 294 |language=English|date= 2005-03-25|accessdate=2008-01-16] [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2005&Submit=GO&lang=en 2005 award] ]
* Mujibul Huq
* International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

2006

In the year 2006, 2 organization were awarded:cite news |first=Dhaka |last=BSS |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= RAB, Betar get Independence Award |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/mar/24/front.html |publisher=New Age |id=|language=English|date= 2006-03-24|accessdate=2008-01-16] [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2006&Submit=GO&lang=en 2006 award] ]
* Rapid Action Battalion (Social work)
* Bangladesh Betar (Bangladesh Liberation War)

2007

In the year 2007, 2 organizations were awarded: [cite news |first=Dhaka |last=UNB |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title= Independence Award to Army, Brac; CA for hunger-free Bangladesh |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/03/26/d7032601159.htm |publisher=The Daily Star |id=Vol 5 Num 1,002 |language=English|date= 2007-03-26|accessdate=2008-01-16] [ [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2007&Submit=GO&lang=en 2007 award] ]
* Bangladesh Army (Bangladesh Liberation War)
* BRAC (Social work)

2008

In the year 2007, 3 individuals and 1 organization were awarded: [UNB Dhaka, [http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=26185 Independence Award 2008 announced Date-05-03-2008] ]
* Dr. Syed Muhammad Shamsuzzoha (Liberation War)
* Dr. Govinda Chandra Dev (Liberation War of Bangladesh)
* Rehman Sobhan (Research and Training)
* Bangladesh Rifles (Bangladesh Liberation War)

External links

* [http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=1980&Submit=GO&lang=en List of awardees] , Cabinet Division, Bangladesh Government

References