Chief Adviser to the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has conferred the prestigious ‘Ekushey Padak 2025’ to 19 distinguished personalities and the Bangladesh Women’s National Football Team in recognition of their exceptional contributions across various fields. The awards ceremony took place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday.This year, recipients were honored in several categories, including Shilpakala (film, music, photography, and painting), journalism, human rights, culture and education, science and technology, social service, language and literature, and research. The Women's Football Team was recognised in the sports category.The Shilpakala category saw five awardees: Azizur Rahman (posthumous) in film, Ustad Nirad Boron Borua (posthumous) and Ferdous Ara in music, Nasir Ali Mamun in photography, and Rokeya Sultana in painting. Azizur Rahman’s award was accepted by his daughter, Alia Rahman Bindi, while Nirad Boron’s award was received by his daughter, artist Falguni Borua.

The Ekushey Padak for journalism was awarded posthumously to Mahfuz Ullah, with his wife accepting the award on his behalf. The award for journalism and human rights went to Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh.

In the culture and education category, Dr. Shahidul Alam was honored, while Dr. Niyaz Zaman received the award in education. Mohammad Yusuf Chowdhury (posthumous) was recognized for social service, with his son, Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, accepting the award.

The language and literature category saw awards for poet Helal Hafiz (posthumous) and Shahidul Zahir (Md. Shahidul Haque) (posthumous). Helal Hafiz’s award was received by his elder brother, Dulal Abdul Hafiz, and Shahidul Zahir’s award was presented to his elder brother, Habibul Haque.

In science and technology, the Ekushey Padak was given to Mehdi Hasan Khan (team leader), Rifat Nabi, Md Tanbin Islam Siam, and Shabab Mustafa. Maiedul Hasan received the award for research.

Additionally, the Bangladesh National Women’s Football Team was honored with the Ekushey Padak in the sports category. Team leader Sabina Khatun and associate team leader Maria Manda received the award on behalf of the team.

Earlier, on February 6, the Ministry of Culture announced the names of the nominees for the Ekushey Padak. Each recipient received a gold medal weighing 35 grams, a certificate of honor, a replica of the award, and a check for Tk 400,000. Instituted in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Ekushey Padak is awarded annually by the government to individuals and organizations who have made remarkable contributions in various fields.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sheikh Abdur Rashid, read out the names of the awardees at the event. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki chaired the ceremony, and Additional Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, who is performing the routine duties of the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, delivered the welcome address.