Liberation war veteran Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir receives India's 'Padma Shri Award-2021'

Bangladesh Liberation War veteran Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir was conferred with the India's coveted "Padma Shri Award-2021" for public affairs on Tuesday.

He received the "Padma Shri", India's fourth highest civilian award from the President of India Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhaban here.

Eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sanjida Khatun also nominated for the award for 2021. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were, among others, present at the award giving ceremony. Col Zahir, 71, was born in Daudkandi in Kumilla district on April 11, 1951 and joined the Pakistan Army at the end of 1969 as a cadet. 

When the Bangladesh Liberation war started, he fled from Pakistan at the end of August and came to India to join the war. Zahir joined the Bangladesh Liberation war in September 1971. 

He organized the 2nd Artillery Force under Sector 4 in the Sylhet region, sources said. 

The Bangladesh government awarded him the title of "Bir Protik" for his bravery in the war. He was also awarded the "Bangladesh Independence Day Award", the highest civilian award, for his contribution to the Bangladesh's Great War of Liberation. 

He founded Shuddhoi Muktijoddho to provide recognition to indigenous veterans of Bangladesh Liberation war.

Every year India confers the prestigious Padma award in three categories, namely- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 

A total of 119 prominent personalities from various fields like sports, medicine, art, literature and others for their distinguished work are nominated for India's prestigious "Padma awards-Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

However, India on Monday conferred a career diplomat late Syed Muazzem Ali and eminent archaeologist Prof. Enamul Hque with "Padma Award" for their exceptional and disguised services in their respective fields. 

Syed Muazzem Ali, former high commissioner of Bangladesh to India was conferred the "Padma Bhushan", the third-highest civilian award in India for public affairs while eminent Bangladeshi scholar Prof. Enamul Haque the "Padma Shri" award for Archeology.