Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday distributed Independence Award at the Osmani Memorial auditorium in Dhaka.
This year nine eminent persons and one renowned organisation received the award, highest state award in recognition of 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), Lieutenant Colonle Abu Osman Chowdhury (retired), Khrasuzzaman Chowdhury (posthumously), Shahid SBM Mizanur Rahman (posthumously), and Mohammad Haris Ali (posthumously).
Principal M Quamruzzaman was given the award posthumously for his contribution to Education while noted artist Quiyum Chowdhury was given in the category of Culture.
The Swadhinata Award was conferred to Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) for its outstanding contribution to Research and Training.
Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the list of the award recipients and conducted the function organised by the Cabinet Division.