Desk Report:
Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially presented the ‘Ekushey Padak 2026’, one of the highest civilian honors of the country, in recognition of special contributions at the national level. He presented the medal at a solemn ceremony organized at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital today, Wednesday (February 26, 2026).
This year, the Ekushey Padak recipients are Farida Akhter Babita for her contribution to film, Professor Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabashyum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Islam Uddin Palakar for drama, Shafiq Rehman for journalism, Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumder for education, Tejas Halder Yash for sculpture and Arthi Ahmed for dance. In addition, the popular band ‘Warphase’ received the award as a music group.
On behalf of Ayub Bachchu, who was awarded the posthumous award, his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana received the medal from the Prime Minister. And on behalf of Warphase, party leader Sheikh Monirul Alam received the award.
State Minister for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam spoke as a special guest at the event chaired by Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury. Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md. Mofidur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani read out the names and qualitative contributions of the awardees and conducted the medal presentation ceremony.
Cabinet members, members of parliament, diplomats from different countries, senior military and civilian officials and other dignitaries were present at the event.
