Celebrated singer Sabina Yasmin received the first ever ‘Feroza Begum Memorial Gold Medal’ at an award ceremony at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban Auditorium of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday. To pay tribute to Nazrul Sangeet legend Feroza Begum, Music Department of Dhaka University has launched an award named after her, which was conferred for the first time on her 90th birth anniversary yesterday. DU Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique handed over the gold medal and cheque worth of BDT 1 lakh to Sabina Yasmin.  
Feroza Begum Commemorative Gold Medal Trust fund sponsor and chairperson of ACI Foundation M Anis Ud Dowla; Nazrul Sangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya; Leena Taposhi Khan; Begum Akhter Kamal, dean (acting), faculty of Fine Arts, DU, along with Shafin Ahmed, Hamim Ahmed and other family members of Feroza Begum were present at the award ceremony.  Besides, Partha Pratim, who secured the highest score for the year 2015 from the Music Department of DU, was awarded with a gold medal and scholarship, and a special award has been given to a physically challenged student, Nazrul Islam, from the same department.  
After the award ceremony, the award recipient physically challenged student rendered the most popular song of Feroza Begum ‘Aro Koto Din Baki’, while Partha Pratim Mitra presented a classical song. Then, Sabina Yasmin rendered her most popular songs ‘Sob Kota Janala Khule Deo Na’ and ‘Sei Rail Liner Pashe Metho Poth Tar Pare Dariye’.
Students of Music Department of DU also presented a colourful performance at the event.
Regarding receiving the award, Sabina Yasmin said, “Today is definitely a memorable, joyous and proud day for me. This is because I have received the award, which is named after our legendary Feroza Begum. A few years ago, I last saw her performance at Kamol Dasgupta’s birth anniversary. After hearing Feroza Begum’s performance, it brought tears to my eyes. An artiste of that caliber is a once-in-a lifetime kind of artiste and I do not think there will ever be anyone like our Feroza Begum.”
AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “Feroza Begum, through her music, has captivated the hearts of the people. She has taken Bangladesh’s music to great heights and levels. Just like that, our artiste Sabina Yasmin has done the same with our country’s music.”
Rezwana Choudhury Bannya said, “One legendary artiste has received an award named after another legendary artiste. The impact that Feroza Begum has created in Bangladesh’s music, that is truly incomparable and unforgettable.”
Feroza Begum’s son Shafin Ahmed said, “This is an immense initiative, which will remind people about the music and works of Feroza Begum. It would have been great had this happened when she was in this world and now, an initiative has to be taken where her life story and her works should be highlighted through a book.”