Children Receive Independence Award on Behalf of Late Music Legend Bashir Ahmed
The late legendary Bangladeshi musician and composer Bashir Ahmed has been posthumously honored with the prestigious Independence Award, the country’s highest civilian recognition. The award was formally handed over on Thursday afternoon by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Bashir Ahmed’s children, son Raja Bashir and daughter Humaira Bashir, attended the program to receive the honor on behalf of their father. Although both siblings had planned to jointly accept the award, family tradition led Raja Bashir to respectfully request his elder sister to receive it.
As a result, Humaira Bashir formally accepted the medal from the Prime Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Raja Bashir expressed both pride and sorrow: “If our parents were alive today, this would have been a very different day. It would have been the happiest moment for our entire family. Despite the deep pain in our hearts, there is also immense joy.
We are grateful to the state, the people of the country, our father’s admirers, and the media. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Honorable Prime Minister. We request everyone to pray for our parents so that Allah grants them eternal peace.” Humaira Bashir also shared her emotions, saying: “On behalf of our beloved father, the legendary artist Bashir Ahmed, and our mother Meena Bashir, we express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh, the media, our father’s fans, and everyone who loved and respected him.
We feel truly blessed to be their children and are deeply proud of them.” This year, a total of 15 distinguished individuals and five institutions were awarded the Independence Award 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions at the national level. The award, introduced in 1977, is presented annually on Independence Day, March 26. Each recipient receives a gold medal weighing 50 grams (18- carat), a replica of the medal, a cash prize of 500,000 taka and a certificate of honor. The ceremony was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium and conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani.
Ovi Moinuddin
