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Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Monday called for upholding the spirit and pride of Ekushey by resolving all problems and differences of opinions by "ourselves without the influence or interference of others," reports UNB
"Logic, understanding and dialogue should take the place of emotion, conflict and coercion… Our national unity, social stability and peace will have to be kept intact at any cost," Khaleda observed while addressing a function for awarding Ekushey Padak 2006.
The Prime Minister said the nation should take a vow not to bow down to poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, malnutrition and discrimination.
Begum Zia said that it should be the new promise of Ekushey that people shall not bow down their heads to any evil attempt to weaken or undermine the nation.
She said this nation-state of ours is a visible symbol of nationalism built on the foundation of our language-based sprit of Ekushey and on our own culture, tradition, geography, economy and political struggle.
The Prime Minister distributed Ekushey Padak 2006 among 13 recipients or their spouses (three posthumously) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Each Padak (medal) carries Tk 40,000 in cash, a gold medal and a citation.
Those got the Ekushey Padak this year for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields are:
Prof Jasimuddin Ahmad (Education), Dr Sukomol Barua (Education), Prof Anwara Begum (Education), Prof M Asaduzzman (Education), Dr Abul Kalam Manjur Morshed (Literature), Prof Md Nurul Islam (Literature, posthumous), Prof Hamiduzzman Khan (Sculpture), Begum Rowshan Ara Mustafiz (Music), Anwar Uddin Khan (Music, posthumous), Begum Fatematuz Zohora (Music), Gaziul Hasan Khan (Journalism), Shahadat Chowdhury (Journalism, posthumous) and Aftab Ahmad (Photographer).
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman presided over the function while Cabinet Secretary ASM Abdul Halim conducted it.
Ministers, MPs, writers, litterateurs, singers, journalists and distinguished personalities attended the function.
Addressing the function, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said people would have to say in bold voice that they would not bow their head to any violence motivated by politics, religion or any other interest.
"To pay appropriate respect to the martyrs of Ekushey, we will have to build up a knowledge and logic-based peaceful and prosperous society.
"We will have to build up an educated, trained, technology-based modern nation. Bangladesh will have to build a strong economy utilizing the country's resources," she told the function.
She urged the countrymen to forge a broad-based unity on important national issues.
Prime Minister Khaleda recalled with respect the contributions of the martyrs as well as all those who had fought in the 1952 language movement.
She also remembered with respect Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, proclaimer of independence and architecture of modern Bangladesh, saying this far-sighted personality had introduced the Ekushey Padak in honour of the language martyrs and to recognize significant contributors to the national life.
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