Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present the ‘Freedom Award-2026’ medals to 15 distinguished individuals and 5 institutions of the country in recognition of their glorious and meritorious contributions at the national level.According to sources in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister will present the medal at a ceremony organized at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital at 4 pm today (Thursday).This year, late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been nominated for the Independence Award for her overall contribution to
nation-building, including independence, democracy, and women’s education.Apart from Begum Khaleda Zia, the other 14 people nominated for the Swadhinata Puraskar are – Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil (posthumously) in the Liberation War category, Professor Zahurul Karim, former secretary and Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, in science and technology, Ashraf Siddiqui (posthumously) in literature, AKM Hanif (Hanif Sanket), presenter of magazine program ‘Ityadi’ in culture, eminent musician Bashir Ahmed (posthumously), country’s table tennis legend Jobera Rahman (Linu) in sports, founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumously), Md. Saidul Haque in social service, Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher who died in a fighter plane crash at the capital’s Milestone School and College (posthumously), Kazi Fazlur Rahman (posthumously) in public administration, Mohammad Abdul Baki, Professor MA Rahim and Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua and Abdul Mukit Majumder (Mukit Majumder Babu), Chairman of the Nature and Life Foundation for Environmental Conservation and Director of Channel i.
In addition, the five institutions nominated for the Swadhinata Puraskar are – Faujdarhat Cadet College in the Liberation War category, Dhaka Medical College Hospital in medicine, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in rural development, SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh and Gonoshasthaya Kendra in social service.
The Independence Award is the country’s highest national and state award. This award is given in recognition of contributions in various fields, including the war of independence and liberation.
The government has been giving this award every year on the eve of Independence Day since 1977. In the case of the Independence Award, the awardee is given 5 lakh taka, an 18-carat gold medal weighing 50 grams, a replica of the medal, and a certificate of honor.