Pendu Mania at 13:41, 26 March 2026

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{{short description|Second highest civilian award in Bangladesh}}
{{Infobox award
| name = Ekushey Padak
| image = Ekushey Padak.svg
| imagesize = 180px
| type = National Civilian
| country = Bangladesh
| established = 1976
| firstawarded = 1976
| lastawarded = 2026
| total_awarded =
| presenter = [[File:Government Seal of Bangladesh.svg|20px]] [[Government of Bangladesh]]
| description =
| previous =
| obverse =
| reverse =
| ribbon = [[File:Ekushey Padak Ribbon.svg|100px]]
| higher = [[Independence Award]]
| logher =
}}
'''Ekushey Padak'''{{efn|{{langx|bn|একুশে পদক|Ekuśe Pôdôk}}, {{IPA|bn|ˈekuˌʃe ˈpɔdok|pron}}; {{lit|Medal of the [[Language Martyrs' Day|Twenty-first]]}}}} is the second highest civilian award in [[Bangladesh]], introduced in memory of those killed by Pakistani authorities in the [[Bengali language movement]] of 1952.<ref name=Banglapedia>{{Cite Banglapedia|article=National Awards}}</ref> It is given in fields including culture, education, and economics. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs administers the award.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/104540 |title=Nomination proposals sought for Ekushey Padak-2018 |work=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]] |location=[[Dhaka]] |date=17 July 2017 |access-date=21 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121190216/http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/104540 |archive-date=21 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The award consists of an 18-carat gold medal weighing 3 [[Tola (unit)|tolas]], a certificate of honour and a cash award.<ref name=Banglapedia/> The medal was designed by the artist [[Nitun Kundu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Artist Nitun Kundu passes away |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/16/d6091601044.htm |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=16 September 2006 |access-date=10 October 2006 |archive-date=2 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302015050/http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/16/d6091601044.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The amount of the cash reward was originally ৳ 25,000, but it was increased to ৳ 100,000 in 2015, to ৳ 200,000 in 2017 and to ৳ 400,000 as of November 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2019/11/21/national-awards-money-doubled-amount-for-independence-award-raised-to-tk-500000 |title=National awards money doubled, amount for Independence Award raised to Tk 500,000 |work=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=21 November 2019 |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318095344/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2019/11/21/national-awards-money-doubled-amount-for-independence-award-raised-to-tk-500000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cabinet ministries and prior winners submit nominees, and the National Committee on Citizenship and Cultural Affairs chooses finalists, of whom those approved by the prime minister receive the award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moca.gov.bd/site/page/3cd3fd38-2866-46a4-931b-0593cf89239e/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE |script-title=bn:একুশে পদক প্রদান নীতিমালা |trans-title=Method of giving Ekushey Padak |website=[[Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Culture]] |language=bn |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-date=9 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209165117/http://www.moca.gov.bd/site/page/3cd3fd38-2866-46a4-931b-0593cf89239e/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE |url-status=live }}</ref>

The name ''Ekushey''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/the-relevance-of-ekushey-12249 |title=The relevance of ekushey |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=21 February 2014 |access-date=21 January 2018 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301163212/http://www.thedailystar.net/the-relevance-of-ekushey-12249 |url-status=live }}</ref> refers to 21 February 1952, commemorated as [[Language Movement Day]] and [[International Mother Language Day]], when students campaigning for official status of the Bengali language within [[Pakistan]] were killed by law enforcement.<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Ekushey February}}</ref>

==Fields==
The Ekushey Padak is awarded to Bangladeshi citizens and various organizations who have played an outstanding role and contribution to the development and progress of Bangladesh in ten fields: Bengali language movement, liberation war, education, literature, art, research, economics, journalism, science and technology, and social service.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=https://nhd.gov.bd/content/একুশে_পদক_প্রদানের_সার্বিক_প্রক্রিয়া |title=The overall process of awarding Ekushey Padak |website= |date=4 June 2017 |publisher=[[Department of Information and Communication Technology]], Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044541/https://nhd.gov.bd/content/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE |archive-date=1 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Ekushey Padak in Art===
Ekushey Padak in Art ({{langx|bn|শিল্পকলায় একুশে পদক}}) is given for music, [[charisma]],{{explain|in what sense, & by what criteria?|date=February 2026}} dance, drama and films of Bangladesh.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |script-title=bn:একুশে পদক পাচ্ছেন তোয়াব খান, মফিদুল হকসহ ১৬ জন |trans-title=Towb Khan, Mofidul Haq, 16 people including Ekushey Padak |url=https://web.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/171749/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AC-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8/ |work=[[Janakantha]] |date=10 February 2016 |language=bn |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502162755/https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/171749/%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b6%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%95-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%9a%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%9b%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8b%e0%a6%af%e0%a6%bc%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ac-%e0%a6%96%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%ab%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b2-%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b9-%e0%a7%a7%e0%a7%ac-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%a8/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

It was first given in 1976.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |script-title=bn:১৬ কৃতী ব্যক্তি পাচ্ছেন একুশে পদক |trans-title=16 creditable person getting Ekushey Padak |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/print-edition/first-page/2016/02/11/101479.html |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq]] |date=11 February 2016 |language=bn |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164331/https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/print-edition/first-page/2016/02/11/101479.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news |script-title=bn:একুশে পদকের মনোনয়ন আহ্বান |trans-title=Ekushey Padak Nomination Call |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/national/2017/07/13/120284_print.html |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq]] |date=13 July 2017 |language=bn |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164453/https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/national/2017/07/13/120284_print.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{cite news |script-title=bn:একুশে পদক ঘোষণা |trans-title=Ekushey Padak Declaration |url=https://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327562 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=7 February 2013 |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720195609/https://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-02-07/news/327562 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=28 February 2018}}</ref>

===Ekushey Padak in Economy===
Ekushey Padak in Economy ({{langx|bn|অর্থনীতিতে একুশে পদক}})<ref name="auto" /> was first given in 2018.<ref name="auto5">{{cite web |url=https://www.moca.gov.bd/site/notices/80de6297-2f40-4198-ac4c-f96084b36b7c/একুশে-পদক-২০১৮-প্রদান |script-title=bn:একুশে পদক ২০১৮ প্রদান |website=[[Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Culture]] |date=8 February 2018 |language=bn |access-date=12 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312191053/http://www.moca.gov.bd/site/notices/80de6297-2f40-4198-ac4c-f96084b36b7c/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%95-%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%A6%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8 |archive-date=12 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="auto6">{{cite news |script-title=bn:একুশে পদক পাচ্ছেন একুশ গুণী |trans-title=Twenty-one people receiving Ekushey Padak |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1427161 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=8 February 2018 |language=bn |access-date=12 March 2018 |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918160827/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1427161 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Education===
Ekushey Padak in Education ({{langx|bn|শিক্ষায় একুশে পদক}})<ref name="auto"/> was first given in 1976.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Journalism===
Ekushey Padak in Journalism ({{langx|bn|সাংবাদিকতায় একুশে পদক}}) is given to recognize the unique contribution of journalism.<ref name="auto"/> In 1976, for the first time, Ekushey Padak was introduced in the beginning [[Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah]], [[Abul Kalam Shamsuddin]] and [[Abdus Salam (editor)|Abdus Salam]]<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:সম্পাদক আব্দুস সালাম |trans-title=Editor Abdus Salam memorial |url=https://archive.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDJfMTNfMTRfMV80XzFfMTA4NTAz |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq]] |date=13 February 2014 |language=bn |access-date=9 March 2018 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627230842/https://archive.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDJfMTNfMTRfMV80XzFfMTA4NTAz |url-status=live }}</ref> Ekushey Padak in Journalism was given.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Language Movement===
Ekushey Padak in Language Movement ({{langx|bn|ভাষা আন্দোলনে একুশে পদক}}) is one of the main fields of the Ekushey Padak. It is a national given to recognize the contribution of [[Bangla Language Movement]] in 1952.<ref name="auto"/> In 2000 [[Abul Barkat|Language Martyr Barkat]], [[Abdul Jabbar|Language Martyr Jabbar]], [[Abdus Salam (activist)|Language Martyr Salam]], [[Rafiquddin Ahmad|Language Martyr Rafiq]], [[Shafiur Rahman|Language Martyr Shafiur]] and language soldier [[Gaziul Haque]] for the first time was given Ekushey Padak in the Language Movement.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in War of Liberation===
Ekushey Padak in War of Liberation ({{langx|bn|মুক্তিযুদ্ধে একুশে পদক}}) is one of the main fields of the Ekushey Padak. It is a national given to recognize the contribution of 1971's [[Bangladesh Liberation War]].<ref name="auto"/> In 2013, [[Ministry of Social Welfare (Bangladesh)|Social Welfare Minister]] [[Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid]] For the first time, Ekushey Padak was given in Liberation War.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Literature===
Ekushey Padak in Literature ({{langx|bn|সাহিত্যে একুশে পদক}}) is given to people belonging to literature in Bengali language to give recognition to their unique contribution.<ref name="auto"/> In 1976, for the first time, Ekushey Padak was introduced in the beginning [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]], [[Natyaguru]] [[Nurul Momen]], [[Jasimuddin|Jasim Uddin]], [[Abdul Quadir]] and [[Sufia Kamal]] Ekushey Padak in Literature was given.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Research===
Ekushey Padak in Research ({{langx|bn|গবেষণায় একুশে পদক}}) is given to recognize the unique contribution of Research of Bangladesh.<ref name="auto"/> In 2003, for the first time, Ekushey Padak was introduced in the beginning [[Abdul Mannan Syed]] Ekushey Padak in Research was given.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Science and Technology===
Ekushey Padak in Science and Technology ({{langx|bn|বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তিতে একুশে পদক}}) is given by the [[Government of Bangladesh]]. This award given to the recognize the unique contributions in science and technology by Bangladeshi citizens.<ref name="auto"/> In 2000, for the first time, Ekushey Padak was introduced, and first Bangladeshi to receive the award was [[Jamal Nazrul Islam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.moca.gov.bd/en/images/pdf/Ekushe%20Padak%20Prapto%20List%201976-%202014%20.pdf |title=Ekushey Padakaprita Goodbye and Institution |website=[[Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Culture]] |id=p. 9 |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912045305/http://www.moca.gov.bd/en/images/pdf/Ekushe%20Padak%20Prapto%20List%201976-%202014%20.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

===Ekushey Padak in Social service===
Ekushey Padak in Social service ({{langx|bn|সমাজসেবায় একুশে পদক}}) is given by the [[Government of Bangladesh]]. This award is given to recognize the unique contribution of social service by Bangladeshi citizens.<ref name="auto" /> In 2000, for the first time, Ekushey Padak was introduced in the beginning [[Mohiuddin Ahmed (politician, born 1925)|Mohiuddin Ahmed]] Ekushey Padak in Social service was given.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4"/>

==Awards by decade==
[[File:2026-02-26 Ekushey Padak 2026 award ceremony, photo session with recipients, Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Dhaka.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Winners of Ekushey Padak 2026]]

* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (1976–79)]]
* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (1980–89)]]
* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (1990–99)]]
* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (2000–09)]]
* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (2010–19)]]
* [[List of Ekushey Padak award recipients (2020–29)]]
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.moca.gov.bd}}
*{{cite web |url=https://moca.gov.bd/pages/static-pages/694032de35ce18e1c0563aa2 |script-title=bn:একুশে পদকপ্রাপ্ত সুধীবৃন্দ |access-date=26 March 2026 |publisher=Government of Bangladesh |language=bn |trans-title=Ekushey Padak recipients}}
* {{commons-inline}}

{{Ekushey Padak}}
{{Bengali honours and decorations}}
{{Language Movement}}

[[Category:Ekushey Padak]]
[[Category:Civil awards and decorations of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi media awards]]
[[Category:Bengali language movement]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1976]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Bangladesh]]

Ekushey Padak - Revision history

Pendu Mania at 13:41, 26 March 2026