Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today conferred the prestigious Ekushey Padak, the country's second highest civilian award, to 21 eminent personalities in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque handed over the Ekushey Padak among the recipients on behalf of the prime minister, who joined the programme virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs organised the programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium with State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid in the chair.

Motahar Hossain Talukdar (posthumous), Shamsul Haque (posthumous), and Advocate Afsar Uddin Ahmed (posthumous) have been recognised for their roles in the Language Movement.

Begum Papia Sarowar has been recognised for her contributions to music while Raisul Islam Asad and Salma Begum Sujata for performing arts, Ahmed Iqbal Haidar for drama, and Syed Salahuddin Zaki for film.

Dr Bhaswar Bandopadhyay has been recognised for his contributions to recitation, Pavel Rahman for photography and Golam Hasnayen, Fazlur Rahman Khan Faruk, Syeda Issabela (posthumous) for their contributions to the Liberation War.

Ajay Dasgupta has been recognised for his contributions to journalism, Prof Dr Samir Kumar Saha for research, Mahfuza Khanam for education, Dr Mirza Abdul Jalil for economics, and Prof Kazi Kamruzzaman for social service.

Kazi Rozy, Bulbul Chowdhury and Golam Murshid have been recognised for their contributions to language and literature.