Ekushey Padak has been handed over to 24 eminent citizens in recognition of their unique contribution in the national arena.
On Sunday morning, the medals were handed over by the Prime Minister to eminent citizens at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
At that time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was connected through video conference from Ganobhaban.
Minister for Liberation War Affairs Mozammel Haque handed over the medals to the dignitaries on behalf of the Prime Minister.
In memory of the martyrs of the language movement, the government has been giving this award every year since 1986 in recognition of their special contribution in various fields.
This year, two people got Ekushey medals in the language movement, four in the liberation war, seven in art, four in research, two in language and literature, two in social service, one in journalism, education, and one in science and technology.
Mostafa MA Matin and Mirza Tofazzal Hossain Mukul received the posthumous Ekushey Padak this year for their contribution to the language movement.
Principal Matiur Rahman, Syed Moazzem Ali (posthumous), QABM Rahman, and Amjad Ali Khandaker in the field of the liberation war.
Jinat Barkatullah in dance, Nazrul Islam Babu (posthumous) in music, Iqbal Ahmed and Mahmudur Rahman Benu received Ekushey Padak in the field of Art.
Khaled Mahmud Khan (posthumous), Afzal Hossain and Masum Aziz won the medal in the field of Acting.
MA Malek in journalism, Anwar Hossain in science and technology, Professor Gautam Buddha Das received the Ekushey Padak in the field of Education.
SM Abraham Lincoln and Sangharaj Gyanshree Mahather received the medal in social service.
Poets Kamal Chowdhury and Jharna Das Purkayastha won in language and literature category.
Dr Md Abdus Sattar Mandal, Dr Md Enamul Haque (team), Dr Shahanaz Sultana (team leader), and Dr Jannatul Ferdous (team) won for research.