Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the highest state award ‘Ekushey Padak-2012’ to 15 distinguished recipients in Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
Seven personalities have been awarded posthumously for their contribution to the society. Each award carries a gold medal, Tk 100,000 and a citation.
The list of recipients are given below:
Tareq Masud
Award-winning Bangladeshi independent film director. He was known for directing the films Muktir Gaan (1995) and Matir Moina (2002). He died in a road accident on 13 August 2011 while returning to Dhaka from Manikganj on the Dhaka-Aricha highway after visiting a filming location. His microbus collided head-on with an oncoming passenger bus. The cinematographer Mishuk Munier, a long-time colleague, was also killed in the accident, while Masud’s wife Catherine was seriously injured. At the time of his death, Masud was working on a movie titled Kagojer Ful (The Paper Flower). This year he received Ekushey Padak the highest civilian award of Bangladesh posthumously for his contribution in Bangladeshi films.
Mobinul Azim
The great painter Mobinul Azim was born in 1934. He completed his graduation from the Government Institute of Art in 1955. Beginning his career as a nature painter, his works were mostly inspired by Aminul Islam and Hamidur Rahman. He died in 1975. This year he has received Ekushey Padak (posthumous) for his contribution in the field of fine arts.
Humayun Azad
A Bangladeshi author and scholar. He wrote more than seventy titles. He was widely known for his anti-establishment, anti-religion and anti-military voice and was reputed for caustic remarks. Born on 28 April 1947, Humayun Azad was a target of the militants due to his courageous voice and he even escaped a near death experience after falling victim in the hands of the bigots in 2004. He died an unnatural death in Germany on 11 August 2004. He received Ekushey Padak (posthumously) this year for his contribution in Bengali literature.
Ashfaq Munir
Born on 24 September 1959, he was widely known as Mishuk Munier. He was a world class media specialist from Bangladesh and a broadcast journalist with multiple talents. He who was one of the three sons of the martyred intellectual Professor Munier Chowdhury. He died in a road crash at Ghior in Manikganj district on 13 August 2011 while he was serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Editor of Satellite Television Channel ATN News.
Ehtesham Haydar Chowdhury
He was a veteran film director who gave break to many established actors and actresses like Popy, Shabnur, Riaz and many others. He has received Ekushey Padak posthumously this year for his contribution in Bengali films.
Mamotaz Begum
She played a great role in the language movement in 1952. This year posthumously she has received Ekushey Padak for his contribution in language movement.
A K Nazmul Karim
Prof. A. K. Nazmul Karim was the pioneer sociologist of Bangladesh. He received Ekushey Padak posthumously this year for his contribution in the field of education.
Monsur Alam Khan
Prof. Mansur Alam Khan was a great educationist. He received Ekushey Padak posthumously this year for his contribution in the field of education.
Ajay Kumar Ray
He was a great educationist. He received Ekushey Padak posthumously this year for his contribution in the field of education.
Korunamay Goswami
He did extensive research in the field of Bangladeshi performing arts. This year he has received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution in the field of art and culture.
Mamunur Rashid
One of the pioneering theatre activists in Bangladesh. He is the chief secretary of leading theatre group Aranyak which plays crucial roles in creating common people aware about their rights through his plays.
Inamul Haque
Dr. Inamul Haque is a multi talented personality. He is a teacher and also a great cultural activist. He has acted in numerous tv dramas. This year has received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution in the field of art and culture.
Shuddhananda Mahather
He is great social activist and religious leader of the Buddhist community. He is the most respected religious leader for the Buddhists in Bangladesh. This year he has received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution for the society.
Habibur Rahman Milan
He is a well respected journalist. He has received the Ekushey Padak this year for his contribution in the field of journalism.
Baren Chakraborthi the field of science and technology, Prof Baren has contributed immensely for the country. This year he has received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution in the field of science.
More about the Ekushey Padak:
Ekushey Padak a national award introduced in memory of the martyrs in the Language Movement. This padak is awarded to individuals in recognition of their substantial contribution in their respective fields in national life. The criteria of consideration for the award consists of contribution to the field of literature, journalism, education, art and culture, song, dance, fine art, dramatic performance, sculpture, etc.
The medal was designed by the artist Nitun Kundu. Each awardee receives a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and a sum of cash. The amount of the cash reward was originally taka 25 thousand, but it was subsequently increased to taka 100 thousand. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs administers the Padak.
