Independence Award 2026: Dr. Zahurul Karim Honoured for National Contributions in Science and Technology

A total of 20 individuals and institutions, including BNP’s late Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia (posthumous), Dhaka Medical College Hospital for contributions to medical science, President of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences Dr. Zahurul Karim for achievements in science and technology, and cultural personality Hanif Sanket, have been selected for the Independence Award 2026 in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions at the national level.

The list of award recipients was finalized at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, March 5. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman presided over the meeting held at the Secretariat. Following the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani confirmed the information to journalists. The Cabinet Division simultaneously published the list of nominees for the Independence Award. Among the recipients are 15 distinguished individuals and five institutions.

Posthumous Honour for Khaleda Zia

This year, Begum Khaleda Zia, the late Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will be awarded the Independence Award posthumously for her overall contributions to independence, democracy, women’s education, and nation-building.

Recognition in the Liberation War Category

In the Liberation War category, Faujdarhat Cadet College will receive the award, while Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil will be honoured posthumously.

Awards in Culture, Literature and Sports

For special contributions to culture, renowned media personality and creator of the magazine program Ityadi, Hanif Sanket, along with eminent artist Bashir Ahmed (posthumous), will receive the award.

In literature, Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui (posthumous) has been selected for the Independence Award, while legendary table tennis player Zobera Rahman Linu will be recognized in the sports category.

Social and Public Service Category

In the social service/public service category, the award will jointly go to Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumous), Md. Saidul Haque, Maherin Chowdhury (posthumous), Gonoshasthaya Kendra, and SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh.

Research, Training and Other Fields

For contributions to research and training, Mohammad Abdul Baki, Professor Dr. M. A. Rahim, and Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua have been nominated for the Independence Award.

In addition, Kazi Fazlur Rahman (posthumous) will receive the award in public administration, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in rural development, and Abdul Mukit Majumdar (Mukit Majumdar Babu) for environmental conservation.

Dr. Zahurul Karim Recognized in Science and Technology

Dr. Zahurul Karim, nominated for the Independence Medal in Science and Technology, is a distinguished Bangladeshi agricultural scientist and former government official. Over the course of his illustrious career, he served as a university teacher, scientist, and later as a government bureaucrat. Most recently, he served as the Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Dr. Zahurul Karim was born on August 15, 1948, in Chhoto Haran village of Brahmanbaria district. He has been closely associated with various scientific organizations. In Bangladesh, he was elected a Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, the country’s highest body of scientists, and also served as its Vice-President. In recognition of his global scientific credentials, he was also elected a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

For his outstanding professional contributions, he has received several national awards. Among them is the National Environment Medal in 2020 for his significant contributions to environmental issues. Additionally, he has received multiple national and international awards for his long-standing contributions to agricultural research.

About the Independence Award

The Government of Bangladesh has been conferring the Independence Award every year since 1977 on the occasion of Independence Day on March 26. As the highest state award in the country, recipients are given Tk 500,000 in cash, a 50-gram gold medal of 18-carat purity, a replica of the medal, and a certificate of honour.

DBTech/IH/EK/OR