<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday handed over Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) to nine individuals and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country.&nbsp;</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The programme to distribute the highest civilian award was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Freedom fighter Colonel Shamsul Alam (retired), Lieutenant AG Mohammad Khurshid (posthumous), martyred Khwaja Nizamuddin Bhuiyan, and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya received the award for their contributions to Bangladesh's independence and the Liberation War in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangla Academy winner Begum Nadira Jahan (Surma Zahid) and ICDDRB Acting Senior Director Dr Firdausi Qadri received the award for their contributions to research and training.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Late Mohammad Moinuddin Ahmed (Selim Al Deen) got the award for his contribution to literature.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pabitra Mohan Dey and ASM Raqibul Hasan received the honour for their contribution to culture and sports, respectively.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence has been awarded in the public service category.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh honours individuals and institutions with the award every year ahead of Independence Day that is celebrated on March 26. The award was intriduced in 1977. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>