Dhaka: Former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia has been selected for this year’s Independence Award, the country’s highest state honor. She has been recognized posthumously for her overall contributions to nation-building, including independence, democracy, and women’s education, as stated in a press release issued by the Cabinet Division today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has decided to confer the “Independence Award 2026” on 15 distinguished individuals, including former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia, and five institutions. This recognition is for their “outstanding contributions at the national level” in their respective fields.
Introduced in 1977, the Independence Award, or ‘Swadhinata Puraskar’, is the highest civilian award given by the government of Bangladesh. This award has been presented every year on March 26, Bangladesh’s Independence Day, since 1977, in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.