About 10 million people faced displacement and  fled to neighbouring India during the Liberation War in 1971. Besides,  about 50 million people were internally displaced. Such wartime displacement is rare in the world's history, said Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury yesterday.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a photography exhibition at the capital's Liberation War Museum, organised by Centre for Research and Information and Samdani Art Foundation.

The exhibition -- "Witnessing History in the Making: Photographs by Anne de Henning" -- features rare photographs of Liberation War and Bangabandhu, captured by the celebrated French photographer.

He said going through the exhibition, the new generation will get glimpses of struggle and sacrifice made by people to achieve independence. He thanked Henning for storing the rare photographs in her archive.

State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid, also a CRI trustee, said they are planning to host a "permanent exhibition" at Shilpakala Academy, where rare photographs of the Liberation War captured by foreign photojournalists will be on display.

Education Minister Dipu Moni said the photographs captured by Henning are "historic" and chronicle wartime atrocities by the occupation forces as well as expectations of people who dreamt of independence.

French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy said the photographs captured by Henning were earlier on display in France's Guimet Museum, and the exhibition was a great success. "I'm sure this exhibition too is going to be a tremendous success."

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said the exhibition will give a chance for the next generation to learn from the history.

According to organisers, Henning is expected to be present at the exhibition today, marking her visit to Bangladesh after 50 years. She is also expected to revisit some of the places from 1971.

Besides Henning's photos during the Liberation War, the exhibition also features photographs of Bangabandhu giving a speech at the first council of Awami League after independence in 1972.

The exhibition also features other works from her archive including her coverage of the Vietnam War.

Curated by Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury, the exhibition will continue till December 24.