In a solemn and dignified ceremony marking Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday presented the prestigious Ekushey Padak 2026 to nine distinguished individuals and one celebrated music band.
The award ceremony was held at the iconic Osmani Milanaytan in the capital, where the Prime Minister personally handed over the country’s second-highest civilian honor to the recipients in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national life.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that education, research, arts, and literature must never be politicized in a civilized society. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a morally grounded and liberal democratic state system that ensures progress across all branches of knowledge—education, science, technology, culture, and intellectual pursuits.
He further noted that while politicians administer the state, scholars and cultural icons provide direction to society. “The greater the number of accomplished individuals in a nation, the more enlightened and ethically enriched that society becomes,” he said, adding that the state honors its eminent citizens out of both respect and necessity.
Recalling the historical roots of the award, he stated that the Ekushey Padak was first introduced in independent Bangladesh by Shaheed President Jiaur Rahman. He described the award as more than a medal—calling it a living tribute to the spirit of the 1952 Language Movement and a bridge connecting the nation’s historic struggles with contemporary excellence.
List of Awardees
This year’s Ekushey Padak recipients include:
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Film: Farida Akter Babita
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Fine Arts: Professor Md. Abdus Sattar
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Architecture: Merin Tabassum
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Music (Posthumous): Ayub Bachhu
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Theatre: Islam Uddin Palakar
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Journalism: Shafique Rehman
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Education: Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar
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Sculpture: Tejas Halder Jash
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Dance: Arthi Ahmed
Additionally, the iconic rock band Warfaze received the award as a musical group for its enduring contribution to Bangladeshi music.
The posthumous award on behalf of Ayub Bachchu was received by his wife Ferdous Akhter Chondona, while Warfaze’s team leader Sheikh Monirul Alam accepted the honor on behalf of the band.
The event was presided over by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, with State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam attending as special guest. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the proceedings and read out the citations of the awardees.
Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and distinguished guests were present at the ceremony, underscoring the national significance of the occasion.
