The government has named Finance Minister AMA Muhith for this year’s Swadhinata Padak or Independence Award for his campaigns in favour of Bangladesh’s independence abroad during the Liberation War.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the award to the nominees at a function at the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium on March 24, according to a PID handout. The nominees under Independence and Liberation War category are: Textiles and Jute Minister Emaj Uddin Pramanik, Moulvi Achmat Ali Khan (posthumous), Squardon Leader (retd) Badrul Alam, Bir Uttam, who played his role in forming Bangladesh Air Force after the Liberation War, Shahid Shah Abdul Mazid, who played the leading role in preventing the attack by Pakistan occupation force at Rajshahi Police Lines, M Abdul Ali (posthumous), then Mahkuma administrator of Rangamati who was killed in an attack by Pakistani military force in 1971, AKM Abdur Rauf, typographer of the constitution (posthumous), KM Shehabuddin, first head of Bangladesh`s Delhi mission and Syed Hasan Imam for playing courageous role in cultural activities in support of the Liberation War. Besides, Rafiqul Islam (posthumous) and Abdus Salam have been nominated for the award in Mother Language category for playing a role in achieving recognition of 21 February as International Mother Language Day while Dr Maqsudul Alam (posthumous) has been nominated in Science and Technology category for decoding the jute genome. Renowned physician Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan (MR Khan) has been named for the award in medical science category and singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya under cultural category. Besides, Bangladesh Navy was nominated for its role in the Liberation War and in protecting independence and sovereignty.