Fire Service gets Swadhinata Padak along with 9 individuals

The government has named the Fire Service and Civil Defence along with nine other individuals as recipients of the Swadhinata Padak 2023.

The fire service has won the award under the social services category.

Playwright Selim Al Deen and politician Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya are also among the recipients of country’s highest civilian award .

The Cabinet Division on Thursday published the names of the winners in recognition of their glorious contribution at the national level.

The government has honoured Maya, a leader of the ruling Awami League and decorated freedom fighter, for his role in Bangladesh’s independence and the Liberation War.

Retired Colonel Shamsul Alam, late Lieutenant AG Mohammad Khurshid and martyr Khwaja Nizamuddin Bhuiyan have also been named for the award under this category.

Selim Al Deen, born as Muhammad Moinuddin Ahmed, won the award in literature, Pabitra Mohan Dey in culture, SM Rakibul Hasan in sports, Nahida Jahan aka Surma Jahid in research and training.

Dr Firdausi Qadri, a scientist who won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for her instrumental role in discovering vaccines that have saved millions of lives, has also been named for the Independence Award under the research and training category.