Gulshan Society and liberation war museum organising ‘HUMANITY IS ONE’
As Bangladesh marks its 54th Independence Day, Gulshan Society, in association with the Liberation War Museum, is set to present Humanity for One, a compelling exhibition highlighting the extraordinary contributions of Paul and Ellen Connett during the Liberation War of 1971. During Bangladesh's struggle for independence, Paul, an Englishman, and Ellen, an American, stood against injustice.
Ellen co-founded Operation Omega, while Paul established Action Bangladesh, mobilising 25,000 people in London's Trafalgar Square on 1 August 1971. This demonstration, organised in collaboration with Bengali-Pakistanis and activists in the UK, echoed the global solidarity witnessed at the Concert for Bangladesh in New York. Their activism extended beyond protests—later, the Connetts acquired a World War II ambulance and drove it across continents to provide medical aid to war victims in Bangladesh.
Humanity for One captures their inspiring journey through rare photographs, documents, and firsthand accounts, shedding light on the role of international activism in Bangladesh's struggle for independence. The exhibition will be held at Gulshan Society Lake Park near the south gate on Road 62 in Gulshan from 26 to 28 March 2025, running from 9am to 9pm. The opening ceremony, scheduled for 11am on 26 March, will be attended by Mofidul Hoque, Founder Trustee, Liberation War Museum, A Majid Chowdhury, Founder Member, Action Bangladesh, HE James Goldman, Acting High Commissioner, British High Commission.
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The exhibition is open to all, with a special call to young citizens to explore this pivotal chapter of history through powerful imagery and storytelling. It offers an opportunity to understand the importance of committed activism and global solidarity in the making of a nation.
Srabanti Datta, cultural secretary of Gulshan Society and convenor of the event, said Gulshan Society is keen on organising initiatives that uphold the cultural, historical, and social values of the nation. She said the exhibition aims to educate and inspire, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. Gulshan Society's secretary general, Syed Ahsan Habib Rana, said for the first time, Gulshan's Lake Park will serve as a venue for an exhibition centred on the Liberation War. He said it is a wonderful opportunity for young citizens and children to engage with the history of independence in a meaningful way.
