DHAKA: Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and nine other reputable women were given ‘Ananya’ Award 2013 for their outstanding contributions to the society.

The other awardees include Roma Chowdhury (freedom fighter and writer on country’s liberation war), Naznin Sultana (first female deputy governor), Sadeka Hasan Senjuti (entrepreneur, e-commerce), Maching Nu Marma (entrepreneur, agriculture), Taslima Akhtar (photographer), Rozina Islam (journalism), Captain Jannatul Ferdous (Bangladesh’s first female paratrooper), Maimuna N Ahmed (education) and Tayaba Begum Lipi (fine arts).

The award giving ceremony was held in a city hotel on Wednesday evening.

Noted rights personality Laila Kabir handed over the crest to the Speaker on behalf of the fortnightly magazine for women titled ‘Ananya’.

After receiving the award Speaker said, “I represent all women of the country when I sit in the Speaker’s chair in the National Parliament, but I am an ordinary woman like others.”

Terming the award giving ceremony a unique program, she said “Every woman are special (Ananya in Bangla) with their respective talent and ability.”

Ananya Editor Tasmima Hossain, in her welcome speech, said it is the magazine’s 20th prize giving ceremony. “Every year it honors the talented women,” she said.

BDST: 2126 HRS, AUG 27, 2014