2024-02-21 14:39:06
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her determination to move forward with dignity in the world court and said, Ekush has taught us not to bow down. Therefore, we will not walk with our heads down, but with our heads held high.
He said these things while addressing the chief guest at the ‘Ekushe Padak-2024’ awarding ceremony on Tuesday (February 20) on the occasion of Amar Ekushe February and International Mother Language Day. In recognition of outstanding contributions in various fields, 21 eminent persons have been awarded Ekushey Padak this time.
Bangladesh’s second highest civilian award ‘Ekushey Padak’ was handed over to the winners for the 21st time in a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Culture at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Medals are accepted posthumously on behalf of medal winners by their relatives.
The Prime Minister said that the father of the nation has not only given us freedom, he has also given us a dignity. As a victorious nation, we want to walk with our heads held high all over the world. Everyone should remember this.
The Prime Minister quoted the speech given by the Father of the Nation at the first hour of February 21, 1972 when he laid wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
The Father of the Nation said that the movement of 1952 was not limited to language movement only. This movement was a movement to establish social, economic, cultural and political rights.
The Prime Minister said that the Bengali nation had lost the status given to us by the Father of the Nation after 1975. But, today I can at least claim this much, once again Bengalis can walk with their head held high in the court of the world. We have brought that dignity back. We have to keep this status intact and move forward in the coming days.
He said, not to get a hand from anyone, not by begging, we will walk with self-respect in the world court with our heads held high. Because twenty-one teaches us not to bow down. Therefore, we will not walk with our heads down, but with our heads held high.
Earlier, the Ministry of Culture issued a notification with the list of 21 Ekushey Padak 2024 winners. Awarded Ekushey Medals—Maulvi Ashrafuddin Ahmad (posthumous) for Language Movement, Hero Freedom Fighter Hatim Ali Mia (posthumous) for Language Movement, Jalal Uddin Khan (posthumous) for Art (Music), Hero Freedom Fighter Kalyani Ghosh for Art (Music), Vidit Lal for Art (Music). Das (Posthumous), Arts (Music) Andrew Kishore (Posthumous), Arts (Music) Subhradev, Arts (Dance) Shibli Mohammad, Arts (Acting) Dolly Zahoor, Arts (Acting) Cinematographer MA Alamgir, Arts (Recital) Khan Mo . Mustafa Waleed (Shimul Mustafa), Rupa Chakraborty in art (recitation), Shahjahan Ahmed Bikas in art (painting), Kawsar Chowdhury in art (documentary production and archiving of liberation war), social service. Ziaul Haque, Rafiq Ahmed in social service, Muhammad Samad (Dhaka University Pro Vice Chancellor) in language and literature, Lutfar Rahman Riton in language and literature, Minar Mansoor in language and literature, Rudra Muhammad Shahidullah (posthumous) in language and literature and Professor Dr. Jinbodhi monk.
Cabinet Secretary. Mahbub Hossain presided over the medal distribution ceremony and read out the citations of the medal winners.
Culture Ministry Secretary Khalil Ahmad presided over the event. Hasna Jahan Khanam, Additional Secretary of the concerned Ministry, delivered the welcome speech.
Members of the government’s cabinet, advisors to the prime minister, members of parliament, senior military and civil officials, eminent intellectuals, poets, writers, artists and other invited guests were present on the occasion.