Dhaka: Government has nominated poet Nirmalendu Goon for Impendence Award 2016 for his contribution to the field of literature. 

Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam on Sunday said the poet has been named for the award according to a proposal of Ministry of Culture.

The secretary said Goon’s name was not enlisted earlier. However, the ministry added Nirmalendu Goon into the nomination list after discussing with the Prime Minister.

On 7 March fourteen distinguished personalities of the country have been selected for the Independence Award in recognition to their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

The awardees include Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Textiles and Jute minister M. Imaz Uddin Pramanik, Freedom fighter and philanthropist Moulvi Achmat Ali Khan, former Squadron leader Badrul Alam (Bir Uttam), Shaheed (martyr) Shah Abdul Mazid, M Abdul Ali, Late AKM Abdur Rouf, KM Shihab Uddin, cultural personality Syed Hasam Imam, Late Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam, Late Prof Dr Maksudul Alam, reputed child specialist Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan (MR Khan), Rabindra Sangeet researcher Rezwana Chowdhury Banya.

Besides, Bangladesh Navy has also been nominated as recipient of the award.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards to the recipients at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on 24 March.