The government has decided to award 20 individuals, including former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, with the Independence Award 2026 in recognition of their overall contributions to nation-building. The announcement was made on Thursday (March 5) by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani.
Khaleda Zia has been posthumously nominated for the award for her contributions to independence, democracy, women’s education, and nation-building.
The Independence Award, also known as the Independence Day Award, is the highest civilian honour in Bangladesh, established in 1977 to commemorate the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. The award is presented annually on March 26, Bangladesh’s Independence Day, to individuals or institutions that have made remarkable contributions to national life across various fields.
This year’s selection marks another recognition of citizens who have significantly contributed to the country’s progress, freedom, and development, upholding the values celebrated on Independence Day.
