Staff Correspondent: In recognition of their unique contribution in the national fields, 21 eminent citizens have been nominated for the Ekushey Padak this time.

Their names were announced by the Ministry of Culture on Thursday (February 4th).

Aminul Islam Badsha (posthumous) got selection for his role in the Language Movement.

Begum Dalia Nowshin, Shankar Roy and Mita Haque are being recognised for their contributions to music.

Golam Mostafa Khan, SM Mohsin and Farida Zaman have been selected for dance, performing arts and fine arts respectively.
Hazi Akhter Sarder (posthumous), Abdul Jabbar (posthumous) and AAM Mesbahul Haque (posthumous) have been recgnised for their roles in the Liberation War.

Zafar Wazed (Ali Wazed Zafar) has been nominated for his contribution to journalism and Jahangir Alam, Hafez Qwari Syed Saifur Rahman Nizami Shah and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute for their roles in research while Bikiran Prasad Barua for education.

Shamsul Alam and Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman will receive the award for their contributions to economy and social service respectively.

Nurun Nabi, Sikder Aminul Haque (posthumous) and Begum Nazmun Nesa Piari have been selected for language and literature while Sayeba Akhter for medical.

Twenty one eminent personalities will get the country's second highest civilian award, Ekushey Padak in 2021. Each recipient will get a gold medal, a certificate and a cheque for Tk 200,000.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to hand over the Ekushey Padak to the awardees at a ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on 20 February.