Orders, decorations, and medals of Bangladesh explained

The existing Bangladeshi honours system was created after Independence of Bangladesh. The highest civilian honours are the Independence Award and Ekushey Padak. They are awarded every year. The awards are civilian awards for a broad set of achievements in fields such as Education, Arts, Civil Service, or Social Service and Liberation War. Awards were also bestowed posthumously and they are not given for foreign citizens.

The most recognized and respected gallantry awards are the Bir (Bengali: বীর) awards which are Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik in decreasing order of importance. They are awarded to freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and fought against the Pakistan Army in the Bangladesh Liberation War. All of these awards were introduced immediately after the Liberation War in 1971.

The 'Nakeeb Padak' (Bangla : নকীব পদক) has been awarded since 2021 for the contribution to Bengali literature.

Civil decorations

General awards

Independence Award; the highest civilian award
Ekushey Padak; the second-highest civilian award^[1]

Literature awards

Bangla Academy Award, for contribution in the field of Bengali language and literature.
Shishu Academy Award, for contribution in the field of juvenile literature.

Particular awards

National Professor; for outstanding contribution on the field of education.^[2]
Shilpakala Padak; for contributions to the fields of Bangladeshi arts, theater, music, dance, instrumental music, folk music and film.
Begum Rokeya Padak; for contribution to Gender equality and Women's rights.^[3]
National Agriculture Awards; given to recognise a substantial contribution in the field of research in agricultural development.
National Film Awards; for notable contributions to the promotion of the art of cinema.
National Sports Awards (Bangladesh); for specific contributions in the field of games and sports.^[4]
National Family Planning Awards
National Child Award
National Youth Awards
National Cooperative Award
President's Award for Industrial Development
National Environment Award
Public Administration Award

Military decorations

See main article: Military awards and decorations of Bangladesh. The following are the various gallantry, service and war medals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.^[5] ^[6] ^[7] ^[8] ^[9]

Wartime gallantry awards

Bir Sreshtho-(Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ; literally, "The Most Valiant Hero"), the highest gallantry award
Bir Uttom- (Bengali: বীর উত্তম; literally, "Better among Braves"), the second highest gallantry award
Bir Bikrom- (Bengali: বীর বিক্রম; literally, "Valiant hero"), the third highest gallantry award
Bir Protik- (Bengali: বীর প্রতীক; literally, "Symbol of Bravery or Idol of Courage"), the fourth highest gallantry award

Peacetime gallantry awards

Bir Sorbottam-(Bengali: বীর সর্বোত্তম; literally, "The Foremost Braves"), the highest gallantry award
Bir Mrittunjoee- (Bengali: বীর মৃত্যুঞ্জয়ী; literally, "The Immortal Braves"), the second highest gallantry award
Bir Chiranjib- (Bengali: বীর চিরঞ্জীব; literally, " The Incorruptible Braves"), the third highest gallantry award
Bir Durjoy- (Bengali: বীর দুর্জয়; literally, "The Indomitable Braves"), the fourth highest gallantry award

Army service medals

Army Medal সেনাবাহিনী পদক (PSB)
Extraordinary Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Army Medal of Glory সেনা গৌরব পদক (SGP)
Army Medal of Excellence সেনা উৎকর্ষ পদক (SUP)
Army Efficiency Medal সেনা পারদর্শিতা পদক (SPP)

Long service awards

Jestha Padak I (10 years service)
Jestha Padak II (20 years service)
Jestha Padak III (27 years service)

Special decorations (for non-nationals)

Bangladesh Freedom Honour -(Bengali: বাংলাদেশ স্বাধীনতা সম্মাননা); the highest award for foreigners or non nationals,^[10]
Bangladesh Liberation War Honour -(Bengali: বাংলাদেশ মুক্তিযুদ্ধ সম্মাননা); the second highest award for foreigners or non nationals^[11]
Friends of Liberation War Honour -(Bengali: মুক্তিযুদ্ধ মৈত্রী সম্মাননা); the third highest award for foreigners or non nationals^[12]

Police medals

Police medals are awarded every year in the annual Police Week Parade. They are awarded both for bravery and service.

Bangladesh Police Medal (Bravery)
Bangladesh Police Medal (Service)
President Police Medal (Bravery)
President Police Medal (Service)

Border Guard medals

Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Bravery)
President Border Guard Padak (Bravery)
Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Service)
President Border Guard Padak (Service)
Bi-Centennial Padak
Naf Padak

Ansar and VDP medals

Bangladesh Ansar Medal (Bravery)
Bangladesh Ansar Medal (Service)
President Ansar Medal (Bravery)
President Ansar Medal (Service)
Bangladesh VDP Medal (Bravery)
Bangladesh VDP Medal (Service)
President VDP Medal (Service)

References

Book: Khan, Sanjida . 2012 . National Awards . http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=National_Awards . Islam . Sirajul . Sirajul Islam . Jamal . Ahmed A. . Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh . Second . Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
Web site: Order about National Professor . 2011-06-15 . bn . Ministry of Education (Bangladesh).
Web site: Order about National Awards . 2011-06-15 . bn . Cabinet Divisions.
Web site: PM gives away national sports awards . 2015-02-24 . bdnews24.com.
http://www.medals.org.uk/bangladesh/bangladesh-ribbons.htm Bangladesh Ribbon Chart
http://www.medals.org.uk/bangladesh/bangladesh-text.htm Text List of Ribbons
http://www.jeanpaulleblanc.com/Bangladesh.htm Orders, Decorations and Medals of Bangladesh
Web site: Medals | Official Website of Bangladesh Army . 2014-07-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140701131213/http://www.army.mil.bd/node/7 . 2014-07-01 . Army Medal Lists: Official
http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/asia/bangladesh.gif Asian Medals: Bangladesh
News: Bangladesh honours Indira Gandhi with highest award. 25 July 2011. Haroon Habib. The Hindu.
Web site: Vajpayee honoured. 8 June 2015.
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=124849&date=2012-03-28 B’desh honours foreign friends