14 eminent citizens, women’s football team named for Ekushey Padak

Fourteen eminent personalities and the Bangladesh women's football team will get the country's second-highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki announced the names of the recipients on Thursday at a press conference at the Secretariat.

Alongside the women’s team, nominated for their remarkable accomplishment of winning the SAFF Women's Championship title consecutively last year, 14 individuals will be honoured with the award for their contributions in the fields of arts and culture, language and literature, social service, journalism, and other areas of national significance.

Eminent poet Helal Hafiz (posthumous) and Shahidul Zahir (Md. Shahidul Haque) (posthumous) have been named for their contributions in the field of language and literature. 

Azizur Rahman (posthumous) for film, Ustad Nirad Baran Barua (posthumous) for music, Ferdous Ara for music, Nasir Ali Mamun for photography, and Rokeya Sultana has been nominated for painting under the arts and culture category.

Mahfuz Ullah (posthumous) and Mahmudur Rahman have been named for the award for their contributions to journalism and human rights.

Dr Shahidul Alam has been selected for contributions in the fields of culture and education, while Dr Niaz Zaman for education.

In the field of science and technology, Mehedi Hasan Khan will receive the award, while Mohammad Yusuf Chowdhury (posthumous) will be recognised for social service.

Moidul Hasan will receive the honour for research.