Paul and Ellen Connett’s documents of love and Liberation

In a diary entry dated 17 October 1971, Paul Connett wrote about his despair as his wife Ellen had been sentenced to two years of imprisonment by the Jessore Court. Ellen had in fact been arrested on her journey while transporting relief aid in Jessore during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

In the heartbreaking entry, Paul wrote, "Between myself and Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh came first. Now between Bangla Desh and my wife, my wife came first. Why, oh why, had she gone in? My poor sweet Ellen, why had I left you alone?"

The story of Ellen and Paul Connett is not only the story of two activists, it is also the story of Bangladesh's liberation—and excerpts of their untold story are on full display at the ongoing 'Humanity is One : The untold story of Paul and Ellen Connett' exhibition.

On the occasion of Independence Day, Liberation War Museum and Gulshan Society commemorated the hard work and sacrifices of the couple who fought against the atrocities of the Pakistani occupation forces through a three day photography and documentary exhibition at the Gulshan Society Lake Park.

As you slowly move towards the right of the venue, Ellen and Paul's story gradually comes to the happy conclusion of their reunion and their visits back to Bangladesh. Around newspaper clippings of the couple's reunion is one photo of the couple's backs, capturing how the two cling together—a fitting conclusion for two brave souls.

H E James Goldman, Acting High Commissioner, British High Commission Dhaka, attended the inauguration of the exhibition. Abdul Majid Chowdhury, Founder Member of Action Bangladesh and Mofidul Hoque, Founder Trustee, Liberation War Museum were also present.

The exhibition contained photographs of Ellen and Paul alongside other photos depicting the hardships Bangladeshis endured during the war. Alongside the photos are excerpts of documents, diary entries, letters, and more that tell the story of how the couple fought for Bangladesh. 

Strongly opposing war, Paul had formed 'Action Bangladesh' and Ellen had co-founded 'Operation Omega.'

One letter from Action Bangladesh inviting people to a protest in London was certainly noteworthy. The procession, referred to as a "funeral march," saw the protestors in black carry a coffin through London, with the slogan, "Madonna '71 is dying in Bengal: She needs your help."

In one of the many documents on display was a report from the Guardian from 8 October, 1971 that had reported the arrest of Ellen Connett, who was only 27 at the time, alongside Gordon Slaven, another member of Operation Omega. 

During her time in imprisonment, Ellen had found out that she was pregnant. During his panel, Mofidul Hoque shared his conversation with Ellen about this incident, revealing how she navigated that time. Ellen had shared that her fellow inmates, mostly charged with petty crimes, had been nothing short of supportive and encouraging. 

Paul and Ellen were at the forefront of protests in London, condemning the war in Bangladesh as well. Paul led 25,000 people for a demonstration in London's Trafalgar Square as a call for solidarity. 

One of the reasons why Paul and Ellen's contributions were so crucial was because of the international coverage they brought. 'Operation Omega' was able to raise funds and procure two ambulances with which they tried to enter Bangladesh. Even though the Pakistani army had detained them, the incident had become international news.

Ellen and Paul Connett would later be honoured for their contributions as 'Friends of Liberation War' in 2013. 

With their visit back in Bangladesh, one photo shows the couple in front of the Jessore Airport—revisiting the very location that held such troubling memories for the pair.

As you slowly move towards the right side of the venue, Ellen and Paul's story gradually comes to the happy conclusion of their reunion and visits back to Bangladesh. Surrounded by newspaper clippings of their reunion is a photo of the couple's backs, capturing how the two cling together—a fitting conclusion for two brave souls.

Before the cocnsluion of the ceremony, singer and journalist Elita Karim paid a tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter Joan Baez by covering the famous song 'Bangladesh.' Elita also marked the end of the event by singing DL Ray's 'Dhano Dhannye Pushpe Bhora.'

The exhibition ends on 28 March.