Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this year's recipients include Mohan Roy for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children's literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. The awards ceremony took place during the inaugural function of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at the Bangla Academy premises.
The event, organised by Bangla Academy, commenced at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed to honor the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, presided over the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam were among those who addressed the gathering.
Prime Minister's wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman joined the event alongside cabinet members, parliamentarians, notable citizens, writers, publishers, and senior civil and military officials.
The Bangla Academy Literary Award, introduced in 1960, is given annually to individuals for their contributions to Bangla literature across various categories. The winners for this year were selected based on the recommendations of the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 Proposal Committee and approved by the Bangla Academy Literary Award Committee. Prof Mohammad Azam had announced the names of the nine winners through a media statement on Monday.
Carrying the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh', the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 is slated to continue until March 15. Organised by Bangla Academy, the fair is a central feature of Bangladesh's cultural calendar, celebrating the spirit of the Language Movement and the broader observance of Amar Ekushey.