Dhaka, Mar 15 (UNB) - Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman has been awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque 2011 for his significant contribution to international co-operation towards human progress.

The Asiatic Society, Kolkata gave the award, said a press release. The award was first introduced in 1985.

Prof Mihir Kumar Chakrabarti, General Secretary of the Asiatic Society, in his letter on February 29 said the award will be formally conferred upon Dr. Atiur Rahman at a ceremony on May 7 in Kolkata.

Dr. Rahman earlier received Sheltech Award (2010) for his outstanding contribution to development of the financial sector of Bangladesh.

Other recipients of the Plaque were Mother Teresa ( 1987),  Dr Javier Perez de Cuellar (1988), Nelson Mandela(1989), Rev Desmond Tutu (1990), Yasser Arafat (1993), Prof Amartya Sen (1994), Aung San Suu Kyi (1995), Dr. Gabriel Garcia (1998), Gunter Grass (1999), Fidel Castro (2000), Pandit Ravi Shankar (2001), Ms Swaminathan (2002), Ustad Bismillah Khan (2003), Somnath Hore (2004), Ernst Steinkellner (2006),  Dinkar Kowshik (2007),  Pranab Mukherjee (2008) and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (2009).