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Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Saturday called upon every citizen of the country to be imbued with the spirit of Ekushey February to counter the spate of intrigues, terrorism, sabotage and false propaganda that "have been started anew against Bangladesh", reports BSS.
She urged the Bangladeshis, both at home and abroad, to become active and to uphold the prestige of the country and lend their voice to thwart any attempt against it.
Khaleda Zia was speaking at the "Ekushey Padak-2005" distribution ceremony at Shilpakala Academy.
The Prime Minister gave away Ekushey Padak-2005 to 14 distinguished personalities including language movement veterans, litterateurs, artistes, educationists, journalists and musicians for their outstanding contribution to their respective professions and fields.
Presenting the prestigious state-level awards to the 14 recipients at the gathering, Khaleda Zia congratulated them on the eve of the immortal Ekushey.
The recipients were: M. Saifur Rahman, Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Abdul Gafur (for Language Movement), Syed Mujtaba Ali (posthumous), Prof. Zubaida Gulshan Ara, Prof. Ashab Uddin Ahmed (posthumous) and Abu Saleh (for literature), Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Prof. Iqbal Mahmud and Chittaranjan Saha (for education), Bishuddananda Mahathero (posthumous) (for social service), Mashir Hossain (for journalism), and Basir Ahmed and Abu Sattar Mohamamd Shah Zaman Apel Mahmud (for Music).
Each of the awardees was presented with a gold medal, a cash of taka forty thousand and a certificate.
The awards of Saifur Rahman, Syed Mujtaba Ali, Ashab Uddin Ahmed and Bishuddananda Mahathero were received by their nearest relatives on their behalf.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman presided over the function while Cabinet Secretary Dr Sadaat Hossain conducted the function.
The Ekushey Padak -- introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman in 1976 -- is awarded among the noted writers, litterateurs, language movement veterans, educationists, journalists, artistes and other professionals as a recognition of their outstanding contributions.
The Prime Minister urged the members of all profession and classes, including poets, writers, teachers, journalists, artistes, researchers and social workers, to stand unitedly in favour of peace, stability, development and progress for the sake of national interests.
"We have to stand against terrorism, sabotage, intrigues, falsehood and ill-designed propaganda", she told.
Khaleda Zia said "we have won the War of Independence, resisted aggression, faced state terrorism unleased by the undemocratic forces and, this time, we will certainly win the struggle for peace, truth and justice".
She regretted that multi-pronged ill-motivated activities were being carried out from both inside and outside against the country's current march towards development -- achievements earned through immense sacrifice and hardship. "We have to go ahead by thwarting such intrigues," she said.
Ministers, members of parliaments (MPs), judges, diplomats, academics, artistes, journalists, intellectuals, high government officials and distinguished citizens were present at the function.
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