PM for moving forward with dignity in the world arena

Expressing her determination to move forward with dignity in the world arena, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Ekush taught us not to bow down. We will not move keeping our heads down anymore, we will go with our heads high.”

She made the remark while conferring Ekushey Padak-2024 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (February 20) on the occasion of the Amar Ekushey (February 21) and the International Mother Language Day.

Speaking as the chief guest at the award distribution programme, the premier said Bangladesh lost its dignity as a victorious nation after 1975 (brutal killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman).

Sheikh Hasina said, “Today I can at least claim that Bangalees can move with their heads high in the world arena as we have brought that dignity back.”

The people of Bangladesh will have to move forward upholding this dignity in the coming days, she said, adding, “We are not seeking anything from anyone by begging. We will walk in the world with self-dignity.”

The prime minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman not only gave us freedom, but also he gave a sense of dignity to the people of Bangladesh.

“We want to keep our head high all over the world as we are a victorious nation. Everyone should remember this,” she said.

The premier distributed “Ekushey Padak-2024”, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, among 21 eminent individuals in recognition of their contributions to various fields on the occasion of the Amar Ekushey and the International Mother Language Day.

This year two persons got the award in the Language Movement category, while one in making documentation on the Liberation War, 11 in Shilpakala (acting, music, recitation, arts and painting), two in social service, one in education and four in language and literature.

Moulavi Ashrafuddin Ahmad (posthumously) and valiant freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (posthumously) have been awarded in the Language Movement category.

Jalal Uddin Kha (posthumously), freedom fighter Kalyani Ghose, Bidit Lal Das (posthumously), Andru Kishore (posthumously) and Shuvra Dev got the award in the category of Shilpakala (music) while Shibli Mohammad in Shilpakala (dance), Dolly Johur and MA Alamgir in Shilpakala (acting), Khan Md Mustafa Walid (Shimul Mustafa) and Rupa Chakrabarti in Shilpakala (recitation), Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash in Shilpakala (painting), and Kawsar Chowdhury in Shilpakala (liberation affairs documentary and archiving).

Besides, Md Ziaul Haque and Rafique Ahmed were given the award in Social Service, while Muhammad Samad, Lutfor Rahman Riton, Minar Mansur and Rudra Muhammad Shahidullah (posthumously) in Language and Literature, and Professor Dr Jinabodhi Bhikkhu in Education.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the award giving ceremony and read out the citation of the awardees.

With Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed in the chair, its Additional Secretary Hasna Jahan Khanam delivered the welcome address.