Hanif Sanket felicitated with Swadhinata Padak
For his contribution to the country’s culture, popular magazine show “Ityadi”’s host and creator Hanif Sanket (A K M Hanif) has been awarded the Independence Award (Swadhinata Padak) 2026 by the government. The medal was handed over to him by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 4pm on Thursday.
Prime Minister's wife Zubaida Rahman, Khaleda Zia's sister Selima Islam, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Opposition Leader in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman, cabinet members, members of the parliament, the chief justice, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, political leaders, and award winners and their family members were present at the event.
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Hanif Sanket is a multifaceted figure—host, director, writer, producer, singer, composer, and lyricist. His first television appearance came through Fazle Lohani’s “Jodi Kichu Mone Na Koren”.
The first episode of “Ityadi” aired on BTV in March 1989, marking a journey of more than three decades. Over the years, he has taken the show to various regions across the country. As a result, it has created a kind of cultural map, where the television camera has helped Bangladesh rediscover its own face in new ways.
Beyond “Ityadi”, Hanif Sanket has also acted in and films. Among his notable drama is “Kusum”, directed by the late Humayun Ahmed. His body of work as a drama director is also extensive, including “Ay Fire Tor Praner Baranday”, “Durghotona”, “Toshamode Khosh Amode”, “Kinkortobbo”, and “Sheshe Ese Obosheshe”.
Hanif Sanket received the Ekushey Padak in 2010. He has also been awarded the National Environment Award. “Ityadi” has been recognised multiple times as the Best TV Program at the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards. This time, he has received the Independence Award.
This year, for overall contributions to nation-building—including independence, democracy, and women’s education—the late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been nominated for the Independence Award. In addition, the government has decided to confer the Independence Award 2026 on 15 distinguished individuals and five institutions.
Besides Begum Khaleda Zia and Hanif Sanket, the other individuals nominated for the Independence Award are: Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil (posthumous) for his role in the Liberation War; former secretary and Director General of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Professor Zahurul Karim for science and technology; Ashraf Siddiqui (posthumous) for literature; renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumous); table tennis legend Jobera Rahman Linu in sports; Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumous) and Md Saidul Haque for social service; teacher Maherin Chowdhury (posthumous), who died in a fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in the capital; Kazi Fazlur Rahman (posthumous) in public administration; Mohammad Abdul Baki, Professor M A Rahim, and Professor Dr Sukomal Barua in research and training; and Abdul Muqit Mazumder (Mukit Mazumder Babu), chairman of Prokriti O Jibon Foundation and director of Channel i, for environmental conservation.
The five institutions nominated for the Independence Award are: Faujdarhat Cadet College for its role in the Liberation War; Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the field of medicine; Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) for rural development; SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh and Gonoshasthaya Kendra for social service.
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