Uzbek President Islam Karimov awarded a group of Uzbek citizens for their contribution to development of Uzbekistan, various spheres of life, peacekeeping on the eve the 16th anniversary of Independence Day of Uzbekistan, 1 September.

Islam Karimov congratulated awarded citizens and added that it is honour to hand over orders and medals. He underlined that he sincerely congratulates those, who received award for their hard work at the construction of Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan railway. He named the constructed railway as "the wonder of the century".

Uzbek leader also noted the contribution of scholars to further improvement of international authority of Uzbekistan.

Last year, the special award was created to stimulate scholars and on 7 December, President Islam Karimov presented this award to 17 Uzbek citizens for the first time.