Two other Bangladeshi luminaries renowned scholar and archeologistDr.EnamulHaque and Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali (posthumous) were also conferred Padma honours earlier on Monday for the year 2020.
Lt. Col. (Retd) QuaziSajjad Ali Zahir is a veteran of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. He deserted the Pakistan army and crossed over to India to fight the liberation war of Bangladesh. He organized the 2nd Artillery Force under Sector 4 in the Sylhet region.
He was given the death sentence for deserting the Pakistan army which he still carries against his name. He has also done pioneering work in documenting the contribution of liberation war fighters of both Bangladesh and India. He is a recipient of ShwodhintaPadak, the Independence Award which is the highest civilian award of Bangladesh.
The Padma Shri citation described Lt. Col. Zahir as a Bangladesh Liberation War Veteran and founder of ‘ShudhoiMuktijuddho’.
Dr.EnamulHaque is a renowned scholar and archeologist. He is the founder Director General of the National Museum of Bangladesh. He has taught at several universities. He is credited with finding and protecting several invaluable sculptures from various archaeological sites in Bangladesh. President Ram NathKovind in his tweet called Dr.Haque a distinguished archaeologist and highly respected Cultural activist of Bangladesh.
Former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Syed Muazzem Ali was honoured with Padma Bhushan posthumously for his contribution in the field of Public Affairs. Muazzem Ali was associated with starting energy cooperation and land connectivity between India and Bangladesh, said the citation.
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