Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus handed over the Ekushay Padak to 18 eminent personalities and the SAFF Championship-winning women’s team at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Thursday.

The recipients are: Azizur Rahman (posthumous) for filmmaking, Ustad Nirad Baran Barua (posthumous) and Ferdous Ara for music, Nasir Ali Mamun for photography, Rokeya Sultana for painting, Mahfuz Ullah (posthumous) for journalism, Moidul Hasan for research works, Dr Niaz Zaman for contributions to the education sector, Mohammad Yusuf Chowdhury for social welfare, Helal Hafiz (posthumous) and Shahidul Jahir for literary and linguistic contributions, Mahmudur Rahman for human rights and media contributions, Bangladesh National Women’s Football Team for winning the SAFF championship in 2024, Dr Shahidul Alam for cultural and educational works.

In the science and technology category, Mehedi Hasan Khan (his group leader) received the award while Rifat Nabi, Md Tanbin Islam Siam and Shabab Mustafa received the award on behalf of their respective teams.