The government has nominated nine distinguished persons and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (Bari) for Swadhinata Padak (independence award) 2014.
The nine personalities have been selected for the award in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions to the country's education, culture and Liberation War.
Bari has been chosen for the award for its outstanding contribution to the development of agriculture, said an official handout yesterday.
The nine awardees are M Abul Khayer (posthumous), Shaheed Munsi Kabir Uddin Ahmed (posthumous), Shaheed Kazi Azizul Islam (posthumous), Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, Dr Khosruzzaman Chowdhury (posthumous), Shaheed SBM Mizanur Rahman (posthumous), Dr Mohammad Haris Ali (posthumous), Principal Md Kamruzzaman (posthumous) and artist Qaiyum Chowdhury.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the award at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on March 25.
Swadhinata Padak is the highest state award given by the government. The award carries a gold medal, cash and a citation.