Paul and Ellen Connett honoured by Narayanganj City Corporation

Narayanganj City Corporation yesterday accorded reception to a British couple -- Paul Connett and Ellen Connett -- for their contribution during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

NCC Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Haque, former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury and cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi, among others, were present at the reception held at the NCC conference room.

Speaking on the occasion, freedom fighter Abdul Majid introduced Paul, Ellen and said the couple along with some others came to Bangladesh with medical and relief material for freedom fighters. Ellen was arrested by the Pakistan army and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment by a court in Jashore.

After a few days in jail, Ellen realised that she was pregnant. On December 10, 1971, Jashore was freed from Pakistani occupational force and she was released.

After moving to New York, USA, she gave birth to a baby boy. The Connett couple named the boy Peter William Mujib.

In 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred 60 foreign friends, including the Connett couple, with the “Friends of Liberation War Honour”.

Speaking at the event, Ivy said youths of the country should take inspiration from the Connett couple to fight injustice and repression.