Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award)-2016, the highest state award, to 15 distinguished persons and an organization in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions to their respective fields.The award giving ceremony program was held in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Thursday.Those who have been given for the Independence Award-2016 are: Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith for defecting for Bangladesh government while working in Pakistan embassy in the United States in 1971 and as an organiser for creating public opinion in favour of war of liberation abroad, Jute and Textiles Minister M Imazuddin Pramanik as an organiser of war of liberation and a freedom fighter, late Moulvi Asmat Ali Khan as a successful politician, freedom fighter and noted social worker, Squadron Leader (retd) Badrul Alam (Bir Uttam), a successful pilot of F-6 supersonic aircraft, who had a prominent role in the formation process of Bangladesh Air Force after independence of the country.Other recipients in this category are: Shaheed (martyr) Shah Abdul Mazid as the police super of Rajshahi district who led formation of police force in resisting the attacks of Pakistani occupation forces in Rajshahi Police Lines in 1971, M Abdul Ali, the then Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati who embraced martyrdom in the hands of the Pakistani occupation forces while leading as an organizer of the war of liberation in the district, Late AKM Abdur Rouf, who defected for Bangladesh government while working in Pakistan High Commission in London and who wrote the first constitution of Bangladesh by hand in 1971, KM Shihab Uddin, who defected for Bangladesh government while working in Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 1971 and who established first mission of Bangladesh in Delhi and Syed Hasan Imam for playing a bold role in organizing cultural activities in favor of war of liberation.