The government has awarded former prime minister Khaleda Zia and 14 individuals, along with five organisations, Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour — the Independence Award — for this year.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the awards to the recipients in recognition of their glorious and distinguished contributions at the national level.

The awards were handed over during a ceremony organized by the Cabinet Division at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Thursday afternoon.

Zaima Rahman accepted the posthumous award on behalf of her grandmother, receiving the medal from the prime minister.

The former prime minister and BNP chairperson was honoured for her overall contributions to independence, democracy, female education, and nation-building.

Tarique’s wife Zubaida Rahman and Khaleda’s sister Selima Islam also attendedn the event.

The ceremony was also attended by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, cabinet members, members of parliament, justices, the chiefs of the three services, and senior government officials.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the proceedings at the auditorium.

The Cabinet Division had previously announced the names of the nominees for this year’s Independence Award on Mar 5.

Including Khaleda, seven individuals received the honour posthumously this year.

The other recipients are Maj Md Abdul Jalil for his role in the Liberation War, Dr Ashraf Siddiqui for literature, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Maherin Chowdhury for social service, Bashir Ahmed for culture, and Kazi Fazlur Rahman for public administration.