The government has nominated 15 distinguished people including former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and five institutions for 2026 Independence Award in recognition of their commendable contributions at the national level.
The Cabinet Division issued a press release in this regard on Thursday.
Begum Khaleda Zia (posthumous) has been nominated for the award for her contribution in independence, democracy, women education and nation building,
Other nominees included Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil (posthumous) for contributions in Liberation War, Prof. Dr Zahurul Karim for contributions Science and Technology, Dr Ashraf Siddiqui (posthumous) for Literature, AKM Hanif (Hanif Sanket) for Culture, Bashir Ahmed (posthumous) for Culture, Jobera Rahman (Linu) for Sports, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumous) for social welfare, Md Saidul Haque, and Maherin Chowdhury, Kazi Fazlur Rahman (posthumous) for Public Administration, Mohammad Abdul Baki, Professor Dr MA Rahim and Professor Dr Sukomal Barua for research and training and Abdul Mukit Majumder (Mukit Majumder Babu) for conserving environment.
Seven eminent individuals receive Independence Award 2025 from Prof Yunus
The five institutions are-- Faujdarhat Cadet College ( Liberation War), Dhaka Medical College and Hospital ( medical science), Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) (rural development), SOS Children's Villages International in Bangladesh(Social Welfare) and Gonoshasthaya Kendra(Social Welfare).