Nine individuals and one band honoured for outstanding contributions to culture, education, journalism and the arts

In the cultural arena, veteran actress Farida Akhtar Babita, legendary late musician Ayub Bachchu, folk singer Islam Uddin Palakar, and pioneering rock band Warfaze have been selected for the prestigious award.

Ekushey Padak winner, eminent journalist and columnist Sadeq Khan died of old age complications yesterday.