Raj Abrar
This year’s prestigious Rokeya Padak was awarded to five persons for their contributions to the society and the empowerment of womenfolk. They are- Freedom Fighter and organiser Mazeda Shawkat Ali, journalist Mahfuza Khatun Baby Moudud (Posthumous), Artiste Suraiya Rahman, writer Shobha Rani Tripura, and social worker Masuda Faruk Ratna. The award ceremony was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium where the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed the prize to the awardees. The programme was organized by The Ministry of Children and Women Affairs with the State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki in the chair. Secretary to the ministry Nasima Begum read out the citations. The award was introduced by the government in 1995 after the name of the pioneer of women’s rights movement in the undivided Bengal, Begum Royeka.