At 91, a yogurt seller from Chapainawabganj’s Bholahat upazila, Ziaul Haque, may have missed out on formal education himself, but he has been a beacon of learning for hundreds in his community. Living in Chamamusribhuja village, Ziaul has dedicated his life to social welfare, significantly impacting the lives of those around him through education and various community services. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of others, Ziaul was awarded the ‘Ekushey Padak,’ the country’s second-highest civilian honor, this year in the social service category. A testament to his dedication, Ziaul has been a familiar face in his community, selling yogurt for over six decades. Read: BSCIC officials’ training on salt iodization underway in Cox’s Bazar The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the award on February 13, placing Ziaul in the esteemed company of other notable awardees. His contributions have previously earned him accolades, including the ‘Shada Moner Manush’ award in 2006. Upon receiving the news, an elated Ziaul expressed his joy and humility, seeing the recognition as a motivation to continue his social work. Despite the challenges of poverty that cut his own educational journey short after class five, Ziaul turned his circumstances into a mission to support the educational aspirations of others in his community. He has been particularly supportive of financially disadvantaged but talented students, offering books and academic materials funded by his yogurt sales. In 1969, Ziaul established a home library now boasting around 14,000 books, from novels to educational texts, which he offers free to local students. His generosity extends beyond education; he has provided housing for the homeless, dug wells for clean drinking water, and donated winter clothing and Qurans to madrasa students. Reflecting on his contributions, Ziaul finds deep satisfaction in the educational opportunities he has been able to provide, valuing the progress of local children over his own educational setbacks. His efforts have kept many children in school, a legacy he is proud to leave behind. Read: Scholastic student wins global coding competition Ziaul's family, along with the entire district, celebrates this well-deserved recognition. Local journalist Rubel Ahmed and many others in Bholahat commend Ziaul’s spirit and integrity, acknowledging the profound impact of his library and philanthropy on the community’s youth and educators alike. Ziaul Haque’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference one individual can make in the lives of many.

Twenty-one eminent personalities will get the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields. The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the names of the recipients on Wednesday. Gallery Cosmos felicitates Ekushey Padak 2023 recipient Kanak Chanpa Among them, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed (Posthumous) and Freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (Posthumous) have been selected for their roles in the Language Movement. Besides, Jalal Uddin Kha, (Posthumous) Freedom fighter Kalyani Ghosh, Bidit Lal Das (Posthumous), Andrew Kishore (Posthumous) and Subhro Deb,are being recognised for their contributions to music while Shibli Mohammad, Dolly Zahur and MA Alamgir for performing dance and acting, respectively. Ekushey Padak-winning dancer, actor Zinnat Barkatullah passes away Popular elocutionist Shimul Mustapha and Rupa Chakraborty were also listed as recipients of the Ekushey Padak. Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash and Kawsar Chowdhury have been selected for their contribution in painting and documentary films related to the Liberation War. Ekushey Padak winning sculptor Shamim Sikder no more Md Ziaul Haque and Rafiq Ahmed were picked for social service. Meanwhile, Muhammad Samad, Lutfur Rahman Riton, Minar Mansur and Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah are getting the award for contributing to language and literature while Jinabodhi Bhikkhu will picked for his contribution in education.

Nineteen eminent personalities and two institutions will get the country’s second highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields. The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the names on Sunday. Khaleda Manzoor-e Khuda, freedom fighter AKM Shamsul Haque (posthumous) and Haji Mohammad Majibor Rahman have been selected for their roles in the Language Movement. Besides, Masud Ali Khan and Shimul Yusuf have been chosen for their contributions in acting while Manoranjan Ghoshal, Gazi Abdul Hakim and Fazal-e-Khuda (posthumous) for music. Meanwhile, Jayanto Chattopadhyay (artiste), Nawazish Ali Khan(artiste), and Kanak Chanpa Chakma (artiste) have been picked up for Ekushey Padak. Also read: Ekushey Padak handed over to 24 eminent personalities Momtaz Uddin (posthumous) has been selected for contributions in the Liberation War, Shah Alamgir (posthumous) for journalism, Abdul Majid for research, Prof. Dr. Mazharul Islam (posthumous) for education, Saiful Haque for social service, Advocate Manjurul Islam (posthumous) for politics, Akhter Uddin Mia (posthmous) for politics and Dr. Maniruzzaman for contributions in language and literature. Besides, two institutions -Bangladesh National Museum for education and Bidyanondo Foundation for social service- have been picked for the award.  

Ekushey Padak winning journalist and columnist Ranesh Maitra passed away in a city hospital early Monday. He was 90. He breathed his last at Popular Hospital in the early hours today. Ranesh Maitra left behind his wife Purabi Maitra, two sons, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers. Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Md Shamsul Haque Tuku expressed his condolences at the demise of Maitra. Born on October 4 in 1933 in Nahata village of Rajshahi district, Maitra completed his IA in 1955 and BA in 1959 from Govt Edward College in Pabna. He started his career as a journalist in the weekly newspaper ‘Noubelal’ published from Sylhet in 1951. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2018 for his contribution in journalism.

Eminent Nazrul exponent, researcher and Ekushey Padak conferred Nazrul singer Khairul Anam Shakil has been appointed by the government as the new trustee board Chairman of Kabi Nazrul Institute on Tuesday. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Tuesday regarding his appointment for the next 3 years. Having graduated from Leeds Beckett University, UK in Industrial Engineering in 1984, Khairul Anam Shakil is one of the most renowned and respected Nazrul singers and researchers. Also Read: Nazrul’s 123rd birth anniversary Wednesday Before becoming successful in his genre, Shakil learned music from his uncle Mahmudur Rahman Benu and other music maestros in Bangladesh including Narayan Chandra Basak, Ustad Mohammad Sageeruddin Khan, Sheikh Lutfur Rahman, Sohrab Hossain and Anjalee Ray. Khairul Anam Shakil is the current Vice President of Chhayanaut, General Secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha and a faculty member of the Department of Music at the University of Dhaka. For his excellence in music as an eminent Nazrul exponent, he received Ekushey Padak in 2019 and Nazrul Award from the Kazi Nazrul Institute in 2017. Kabi Nazrul Institute was established in February 1985, with prominent journalist Mohammad Nasiruddin, being the maiden chairman of the trustee board.  

Twenty- four eminent personalities on Sunday received Ekushey Padak, the country’s second highest civilian award, in recognition of their contributions to various fields. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq distributed the prestigious award among the award recipients on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The programme was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium while the Prime Minister joined virtually from her official residence Ganobahban. This year Mostafa MA Matin (posthumous), and Mirza Tofazal Hossain Mukul (posthumous) have been recognised for their roles in the Language Movement. Zeenat Barkatullah has been recognised for her contributions to dance while Nazrul Islam Babu (posthumas), Iqbal Ahmed, Mahmudur Rahman Benu for music, and Khaled Mahmud Khan (posthumas), Afzal Hossain, Masum Aziz for acting. READ: 24 eminent personalities named for Ekushey Padak Alhaj Md Motiur Rahman , Syed Muazzem Ali(posthumas), QABM Rahman, Amzad Ali Khandaker  have been recognised for their contributions to the Liberation War. MA Malek got the recognition for contributions to journalism while Md Anwar Hossain for role in science and technology, and Prof Gautam Buddha Das for education. SM Abraham Lincoln and Sangharaj Gyanasree Mahather have been recognised for their contributions to social work and Kamal Chowdhury, Jharna Das Purkayastha for contributions for language and literature. Dr Md Enamul Huq, Dr Shahanaj Sultana and Dr Jannatul Ferdous as a team and Dr Abdus Sattar Mandal as an individual got the Ekushey Padak for their contributions to research this year. READ: Drama troupe Mahakal honours Ekushey Padak recipients State Minister for the Cultural Affairs Ministry KM Khalid presided over the programme.

Twenty-four eminent personalities will get the country’s second highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields. The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the names on Thursday. Mostafa MA Matin (posthumous), and Mirza Tofazal Hossain Mukul (posthumous) have been selected for their roles in the Language Movement. Zeenat Barkatullah is being recognised for her contributions to dance while Nazrul Islam Babu (posthumas), Iqbal Ahmed, Mahmudur Rahman Benu for music, and Khaled Mahmud Khan (posthumas), Afzal Hossain, Masum Aziz for acting. Alhaj Md Motiur Rahman , Syed Muazzem Ali(posthumas), QABM Rahman, Amzad Ali Khandaker are being recognised for their contributions to the Liberation War. Read: Bangla Academy confers eminent personalities with Awards, Honorary Fellowship for 2021 MA Malek is being recognised for contributions to journalism while Md Anwar Hossain for role in science and technology, and Prof Gautam Buddha Das for education. SM Abraham Lincoln and Sangharaj Gyanasree Mahather will be recognised for their contributions to social work and Kamal Chowdhury, Jharna Das Purkayastha for contributions for language and literature. Dr Md Enamul Huq, Dr Shahanaj Sultana and Dr Jannatul Ferdous as a team and Dr Abdus Sattar Mandal as an individual  get the Ekushey Padak for their contributions to research this year.

Mahakal Natya Sampradaya, a drama troupe, has honoured the Ekushey Padak 2021 recipients.The recipients were honoured at the closing ceremony of an 11-day Bangabandhu and Swadhinata Natyotsab 2021 organized by Mahakal at the National Theater of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Monday evening.The Ekushey Padak recipients were honoured with a stole and commemorative plaques.The honourees are: Syed Salahuddin Zaki in film, Salma Begum Sujata and Raisul Islam Asad in acting, Ahmed Iqbal Haider in drama, Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay in recitation, Pavel Rahman in photography, Papia Sarwar in music and Kazi Rosie in language and literature. READ: JU Drama and Dramatics Professor Dr Afsar Ahmed passes away Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Md. Abul Mansur was the chief guest on the occasion.He said, Mahakal Natya Sampradaya is very popular in the country at present. Mahakal has honoured the people and organizations who have been playing an important role in the culture of the country which is a great initiative.“I hope this festival will be on a larger scale in the future. Such a festival in the field of culture will inspire us. If a few more groups like this one come forward then we can take our culture to the path of further prosperity," he said.The event was presided over by Advocate Afzal Hossain, convener of the festival celebration committeeThe ceremony ended with the drama Payer Awaaz Pawa Jay, a Liberation War- based theatre act.

Ekushey Padak conferred short-story writer and novelist Hasan Azizul Huq, who was undergoing treatment due to several health issues, passed away at his Rajshahi residence in the Bihas residential area  on Monday night. He was 82.The news of his passing was confirmed by his son and associate professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology Department at Rajshahi University, Imtiaz Hasan. Rajshahi University vice-chancellor Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar Tapu said the dead body will be brought to Rajshahi University central shaheed minar at 12pm on Tuesday and ‘Namaj e Janana’ will be held at 01.20 pm at the central mosque of the university, after which he will be laid to rest at the Rajshahi University graveyard. Read:Hasan Azizul Huq taken to Rajshahi home after treatmentBack in August, Hasan Azizul Huq was brought to Dhaka via an air ambulance after falling seriously ill with imbalanced electrolytes and heart disease. He returned home a few days later.In addition to these, he had age-related health issues, heart problems and diabetes.He was first admitted to National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute. A 16-member medical board was formed for his treatment. Later he was shifted to BSMMU where another medical board of five doctors was formed.Born in Jabgraam in the Burdwan district of West Bengal in 1939, Hasan Azizul Huq completed his post-graduation from Rajshahi University in 1960. He served as a faculty in the Department of Philosophy of the same University from 1973 till 2004.Considered as one of the most prominent writers and a legendary litterateur in the country, Huq received many prestigious awards in his literary career including the Bangla Academy Literary Award (1970), Ekushey Padak (1999), Ananda Puroshkar (2008), Independence Award (2019), Lekhok Shibir Puroshkar and more, for his contribution to Bengali literature. Kobi Kunjo general secretary Ariful Haque Kumar said Hasan Azizul Huq always worked for the people and the society of this country during crises. "Losing Hasan Azizul Huq is a great loss for this country. He is irreplaceable," Kumar added.  Sazzad Bokul, associate professor of Mass Communication and Journalism department of Rajshahi University, said he was initially a short-story writer who later ventured into novels like ‘Agunpakhi’. "Now we will be deprived of getting some extraordinary fiction from him. He was also a social activist," Bokul added.  

Ekushey Padak-winning legendary actor and dramatist Dr Enamul Haque passed away at his Bailey Road residence in the capital on Monday. He was 78. General Secretary of Actors Equity Bangladesh Ahsan Habib Nasim said Dr Enamul Haque was taken to Islami Bank Central Hospital at Kakrail in the afternoon as his pulse was not found and doctors at the hospital pronounced him dead. The sudden departure of Dr Enamul Haque, also a teacher, has left a shadow of grief on the country’s cultural arena. Born on May 29, 1943 in an aristocratic Muslim family in Feni, Dr Enamul Haque earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from the University of Dhaka in 1963 and 1964, respectively. Also read: Noted physicist Dr Harun-ar-Rashid passes away In 1965, he joined as a lecturer at BUET's chemistry department and became an Assistant Professor in 1970. For his research in the subject of synthetic organic chemistry, he received his PhD from the University of Manchester, UK, in 1976 and also worked as a post-doctoral research fellow in medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacy Department for the same university till 1977. After returning to Bangladesh, he became BUET’s Associate Professor and Professor in 1979 and 1987 respectively. He served as the chairman of the Department for 15 years and also acted as the Dean of the faculty of Engineering for two years. Also read: Veteran filmmaker Shafiqur Rahman passes away A legendary thespian and dramatist in Bangladesh, Enamul Haque started his journey in the cultural sphere of the country by acting on Mustafa Monwar's tele-fiction "Mukhora Romoni Boshikoron" in 1968. In the same year, he began working as a dramatist, and so far he has written nearly 60 television dramas including "Oneekdiner Ekdin," "Sheishob Dingulo," "Nirjon Shoikot," and "Ke Ba Apon Ke Ba Por". He staged and participated in several street dramas against the government of Pakistan in different parts of Dhaka city, during the mass uprising in 1969 and the 1971 Liberation War. Dr Enamul Haque left behind wife Lucky Inam, a renowned thespian herself, and two daughters, actor Hridi Haque and Proitee Haque. PM shocked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Dr Enamul Huq. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said the contribution of Dr Enamul Huq to the field of drama will ever be remembered. She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to his bereaved family members.