Distinguished people should be awarded during their lifetime: CA Yunus at Independence Award ceremony

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus today (25 March) stressed the need for introducing rules to award distinguished persons during their lifetimes as he conferred the Independence Award-2025 on seven luminaries for their outstanding contributions to the national level.

"The joy that the country, families and the individuals get if people are awarded during their lifetimes, - such joy cannot be found if awards are conferred posthumously," he said at the award distribution function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, reports UNB.

At the onset of his speech, Prof Yunus said among the awardees, six persons being honoured are "no more with us".

"We should introduce rules that we will only adorn the living persons with awards after honouring all those posthumously who deserve awards among the deceased persons," he added.

Noting that the distinguished individuals have taken the nation to a new height, the chief adviser said: "By awarding them, we are also being honoured as a nation".

"...they (distinguished persons) contributed a lot to the nation. If we do not recognise them during their lifetimes, we will remain an ungrateful nation. We need to honour them in proper time," he added.   

The chief adviser said fascism was formed in the country through a reign of corruption, looting and enforced disappearances and killings.

Regarding the black night of 25 March, Prof Yunus said, "Today is 25 March, a day of massacre that is stigmatised in the history of human civilisation".

On this night in 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces mercilessly opened fire on unarmed people, sleeping Bengalees, killing several thousands of people, he said.

Since 25 March 1971, the chief adviser said the people of this country had built armed resistance against the Pakistani forces and Bangladesh became independent through a nine-month-long war.

On the occasion, he recalled with deep respect all the brave martyrs and freedom fighters who participated in the War of Independence.

Prof Yunus said the 1971 Liberation War aimed to establish a just society, where the rule of law would prevail, basic human rights would be ensured, and a discrimination-free society would be established.

He also remembered with respect the martyrs and injured in the July Uprising.

CA confers Independence Award on 7 distinguished persons

"Because of their sacrifice, we got the opportunity to dream of building a New Bangladesh. We will never let this opportunity go in vain," he added.

Highlighting the illustrious life and works of those who were honoured with the Independence Award-2025 and terming all of them as great sons of the soil, he said Professor Jamal Nazrul Islam was a world-renowned scientist.

"All the celebrated scientists of the world know him. He was always engaged in the welfare of nature and people," the chief adviser added.

He said Al Mahmud was one of the brightest poets of modern Bangla literature as his poems have inspired many poets, writers and readers.

Prof Yunus also said Sir Fazle Hasan Abed was the founder of the world's leading non-government development organisation -BRAC - and he was engaged in the works of building Bangladesh during and after the Liberation War, reports BSS.

Abed established BRAC with the money from the sale of a flat in London, he said, adding that BRAC is now playing an important role in multifaceted works, including improving the living standards of marginalised people.

He said: "We are happy to confer the state award on writer and intellectual Badruddin Umar."

A replica of the award conferred on Umar will be kept at the National Museum as an inspiration for the next generation, he added.

Noting that two bright stars of Bangla music and arts are Azam Khan and Novera Ahmed, Prof Yunus said the first sculpture was inaugurated in East Bengal by Novera, while he was the pioneer of modern sculpture.

"And the emperor of Bangla pop music, Azam Khan, inspired the youth of this country by singing songs during the great liberation war. He sang for the deprived people of the society. Azam Khan is an icon for thousands of the country's young musicians," he said.

The chief adviser also said BUET student Abrar Fahad is the inspiration of the Gen-Z, who led the July mass uprising.

Abrar was killed by terrorists while protesting strongly for justice and freedom of speech, he said, adding, "We are proud to honour him with the state award."

Extending his greetings to the relatives of the Independence awardees, the chief adviser said: "We are happy to be able to give them this recognition and honour".

He said their works will hearten the youths from generation to generation.

Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid conducted the function, while advisers, chief adviser's special assistants, chiefs of the three services, principal secretary to the chief adviser and senior government officials were present, among others.