"Logic, understanding and dialogue should replace emotion, conflict and coercion... Our national unity, social stability and peace will have to be kept intact at any cost," Khaleda observed while addressing a function for awarding Ekushey Padak 2006.

The prime minister said the nation should take a vow not bow down to poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, malnutrition and discrimination.

She said that it should be the new promise of Ekushey that people would not yield to any ill attempt to weaken or undermine the nation.

The prime minister said this nation-state of ours is a visible symbol of nationalism built on the foundation of our language-based sprit of Ekushey and on our own culture, tradition, geography, economy and political struggle.

"We will have to build up an educated, trained, technology-based modern nation. Bangladesh will have to build a strong economy utilising the country's resources," she told the function.

She urged the countrymen to forge a braod-based unity on important national issues.

The prime minister distributed Ekushey Padak 2006 among 13 recipients or their spouses (three posthumously) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Each Padak (medal) carries Tk 40,000 in cash, a gold medal and a citation.

Those got the Ekushey Padak this year for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields are Prof Jasimuddin Ahmad (education), Sukomol Barua (education), Prof Anwara Begum (education), Prof M Asaduzzman (education), Abul Kalam Manjur Morshed (literature), Prof Md Nurul Islam (literature, posthumous), Prof Hamiduzzman Khan (sculpture), Begum Rowshan Ara Mustafiz (music), Anwar Uddin Khan (music, posthumous), Begum Fatematuz Zohora (music), Gaziul Hasan Khan (journalism), Shahadat Chowdhury (journalism, posthumous) and Aftab Ahmad (photographer).

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman presided over the function while Cabinet Secretary ASM Abdul Halim conducted it.

Ministers, MPs, writers, litterateurs, singers, journalists and distinguished personalities attended the function.

At the function, the prime minister announced that government would provide honorarium to the families of language martyrs as a mark of respect to them.

She asked the cultural ministry to take necessary steps immediately in this regard. The honorarium will be given on a monthly basis.