The award, named as 'Ratnagarva Ma', was given to the mothers by Grand Azad Hotel.

The recipients were Begum Rahima Khatun, Monwara Jalil, Roushan Ara, Zobeda Bar Chowdhury, Jahan Farida Moni, Shayesta Akhter, Begum Jahanara, Begum Azufa Khatun, Nasrin Noyeem, Mamataz Begum, Hosneara Kamal, Rahima Noor, Begum Farida Zaman, Saleha Begum, Saleha Chowdhury, Dilara Khanom, Fatema Begum, Arfaner Nesa, Begum Maniza Khanom, Nurunnahar Begum, Jahanara Begum, Nurjahan Haq, Razia Khatun, Mariyum Begum and Begum Halima Ahmed.

Each mother was given a crest and a certificate.

The organisers also honoured two other mothers with special award. They were Begum Tayaba Majumdar, mother of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and Begum Mafruha Chowdhury (posthumous), mother of Shabnam Mushtari, an exponent of Nazrul song.

Talking to The Daily Star, Dilara Khanom, mother of Taleya Rehman, executive director of Democracywatch said, " I am very happy to receive the award. I also thank the organisers for awarding me."

Hosneara Kamal, wife of former chief justice Justice Mostafa Kamal, said, " I become shocked when I come to know that our issues have gone to ashtray as I think all children are my sons and daughters."

Science and ICT Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended function as chief guest while State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, poet Al Mahmud and noted journalist Golam Sarwar as special guests.

Abul Kalam Azad, chairman of Azad Group of Companies, said mother is the greatest gift of God in the world.

He announced that the children of 25 mothers are entitled to buy any items of Azad products at 50 percent concession.