Legacy

Swadhinata Purushkar (2011)

In 2011 the Government of Bangladesh awarded 81-year-old Abdul Karim Khandker the prestigious Swadhinata Purushkar (Independence Day Award, also known as Swadhinata Padak), Bangladesh's highest civilian award, in recognition of his relentless and dedicated service to his motherland in various capacity.

Awards galore

Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award (2007)

On 2 October 2007 Abdul Kalam Khandker was awarded Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award along with 19 other prominent personalities in recognition of their contribution to establishing peace in society.

Mahatma Gandhi Research Council gave away the awards at a ceremony marking the first International Day of Non-Violence at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka city.

The United Nations has declared October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Full list of 20 awardees:

  1. Air Vice Marshal A. K. Khandker
  2. Serajul Islam, Secretary
  3. Obaidul Haque, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
  4. Shuddhananda Mahathero, President of Buddha Kristi Prochar Sangha
  5. Archbishop Paulinus Costa
  6. Swami Gyan Prakash, Ramakrishna Mission chief
  7. Justice Ghulam Rabbani
  8. Dr Shamsher Ali
  9. Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of ATN Bangla
  10. Abdur Rob Hawlader, Director General of Passport Directorate
  11. Syed Tosharaf Ali, Editor of the weekly Robbar
  12. Maj Gen (retd) C. R. Dutta
  13. Monowara Hakim Ali, President of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  14. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
  15. Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury
  16. Prof Dr M. Asaduzzaman
  17. Shyamal Chandra Saha, Textile engineer
  18. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah
  19. Mostafa Allama, Poet
  20. Dr Alamgir Mati

'Life Time Achievement Award' by Dhaka Club (2010)

In August 2010 A. K. Khandker was honoured with 'Life Time Achievement Award' by Dhaka Club for his contribution to the War of Liberation as Deputy Chief of Liberation Forces of Bangladesh. Chief guest Begum Matia Chowdhury, then Agriculture Minister, handed the award at the function.

Khandker, a member of the Dhaka Club, received the award in the club on the occasion of the club's 99th foundation anniversary. Attended the ceremony was Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad and Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain.

The club also honoured 25 other elderly members with the 'Living Legend' award for enriching the club and making remarkable contribution to society.

25 recipients of 'Living Legend' award from Dhaka Club:

  1. Zahiruddin Ahmed
  2. MA Rouf Chowdhury
  3. Latifur Rahman
  4. Shafquat Hamid
  5. Chowdhury Monwar Ahmed Siddiqui
  6. M. Anis-ud Dowla
  7. Dr Muhammad Zahir
  8. Emam Hossain Khan
  9. Tariq Ibrahim
  10. Dr Zaglur Rahman Khan
  11. Tariqul Alam Khan
  12. Shamsul Abedin Akhand
  13. Obaid R. Jaigirdar
  14. SA Reza Hussain
  15. CJ Haider
  16. Ghulam Akbar Chowdhury
  17. Md Sirajul Islam
  18. SE Kabir
  19. M. Iftekharul Alam
  20. MM Ispahani
  21. Atauddin Khan
  22. Sadruddin H. Jewa
  23. FK Ghuznavi
  24. Syed AK Mahmudul Haque
  25. Habibullah Khan

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury handed over the award as the chief guest. She congratulated the recipients and thanked the club president for honouring the senior members of the club. She lauded AK Khandker for his leadership during the War of Liberation and role that he played to build up public opinion against the forces of anti-liberation forces through the Sector Commanders' Forum.

Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain Salim in his speech paid rich tribute to AK Khandker and other recipients for enriching the club tradition and significant contribution to the society.

The Daily Star (Bangladesh)

"Bir Uttam A. K. Khandker Sarak" in Dhaka

A road (known in Bangla as 'sarak' or 'sadak') in Dhaka city has been named after Abdul Karim Khandker. The "Bir Uttam A. K. Khandker Sarak" is located in the Mohakhali area of Dhaka.

Map coming soon...

What others say about A. K. Khandker...

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