The government on Friday dropped Md Amir Hamza from the list of the people selected for highest civilian award Swadhinata Padak, also known as Independence Award, in the face of criticism for choosing the little-known writer for the award.
The Cabinet Division issued a fresh notification dropping the name. the fresh notification, however, named none for the award for contribution to literature for which Amir Hamza had been named.
According to the fresh notification, nine individuals and one institution will get Swadhinata Padak this year for their outstanding contributions to the country.
Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, Colonel Khandaker Nazmul Huda (posthumous), Abdul Jalil, Siraj Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Sahiudiin Biswas (posthumous) and Sirazul Haque (posthumous) have been named for their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War.
Kanak Kanti Barua and Md Kamrul Islam will receive the highest state award for their contributions to medicine, the cabinet division said in a notification on Tuesday.
Syed Mainul Hossain for his contribution to architecture.
Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute has also been chosen for the award in the research and training category.
Bangladesh has been honouring individuals and institutions with the award every year since 1977 ahead of Independence Day.
