Independence Award

The Independence Day Award (Bengali: স্বাধীনতা পদক),[1] also termed Independence Award (Bengali: স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কার), Swadhinata Padak, and Swadhinata Puroskar, is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh.[2] Introduced in 1977 by president Ziaur Rahman, this award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations in recognition of substantial contribution to one of many fields, including the War of Liberation, the Language Movement, education, literature, journalism, public service, science and technology, medical science, social science, song, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other areas.[3]

Independence Day Award
স্বাধীনতা দিবস পুরস্কার
TypeNational Civilian
CountryBangladesh
Presented by Government of Bangladesh
Ribbon
Established1976
First awarded1977
Last awarded2023
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Ekushey Padak

Each awardee receives a gold medal, a certificate of honour, and 500,000 Bangladeshi takas (US$5803).[2][4] A cabinet committee on national awards prepares the list of each year's nominees and forwards the list to the head of the government for final approval.[5] The award is traditionally presented on the eve of Independence Day in Bangladesh at a much publicized ceremony attended by several cabinet and parliament members and distinguished society guests.

In 2006, the award generated some controversy as the initial list was not accepted by the Prime Minister, some government ministers had expressed concern over the nomination of three fellow ministers.[5] Furthermore, the award to the Rapid Action Battalion was criticized by many[6] because of RAB's alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.

Awards by decade

References
  1. Independence Day Award, Cabinet Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Khan, Sanjida (2012). "National Awards". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. Rahman, Syedur (2010). Historical Dictionary of Bangladesh. Scarecrow Press. p. 349. ISBN 978-0-8108-7453-4.
  4. "National awards money doubled, amount for Independence Award raised to Tk 500,000". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. "Rab, Betar on revised list of nominees". The Daily Star. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
  6. "SC Bar demands judicial probe into 'crossfire' killings". Law & Our Rights. The Daily Star. BD News. 1 April 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
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