Prominent Bangladeshi singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya has been named as one of the recipients of prestigious Padma Shri Award by the Indian government. The government of India made the announcement on Thursday. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of India, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 52nd anniversary of Dhaka-Moscow diplomatic relations celebrated in Dhaka The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. Chinese Communist Party leader Sun Haiyan meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March / April every year. For the year 2024, the President has approved conferment of 132 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. India to work together with Bangladesh to prevent wildlife trafficking: Environment Minister The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 8 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 9 Posthumous awardees.

Eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya has sought the support of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in nurturing the slum children with education and life-changing competencies and skills. Rezwana, also principal and chairman of Shurer Dhara and team leader of the Music for Development (MfD), paid a courtesy visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in the capital Sunday. During the meeting, Rezwana informed Faruque about the objectives and activities of MfD, a project of Shurer Dhara, to change the lives of children growing up in Dhaka slums. Read More: BGMEA urges global brands, buyers to adopt strategies for promoting mutual growth BGMEA President Faruque Hassan expressed the interest of the trade association in supporting slum children under the Music for Development Project. This project aims at providing a cultural platform to underprivileged children by bringing them under the umbrella of Shurer Dhara. Faruque highlighted the initiatives and activities of the BGMEA in supporting the backward sections of society, especially in creating opportunities for higher education for female garment workers. He said the BGMEA in collaboration with Asian University for Women (AUW) has created higher education opportunities for girls working in garment factories. "Currently, more than 90 young female workers have enrolled in the Asian University for Women to pursue higher studies." Read More: Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US rises 51% during January-September Also, the trade association runs five schools in Dhaka, Gazipur and Chittagong for workers' children and provides free books, study materials and stipends to meritorious students.

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya has tested positive for COVID-19.