'71 Foundation honours 11 women for Liberation War contributions

Eleven valiant women were given reception yesterday for their unforgettable contribution to the Liberation War and implementing its spirit afterwards.

They are Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib (posthumous); Prof Panna Kaisar; founder of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Valerie Ann Taylor; and freedom fighters Ferdousi Priyabhashini; Momtaz Begum; Rokeya Kabir; Lubna Mariam; Shila Momen; Sultana Kamal; Hannana Begum; and Ayesha Khanam, also president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.

"Many of them died while many lost their dignity. We are indebted to them forever," said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed after handing over memorial tokens to them at Bangladesh Shishu Academy. He also said Bangladesh has made much progress in all sectors and women have contributed to it.

Ayesha Khanam said thousands of women put their lives in jeopardy during the Liberation War and two lakh women lost their dignity. But their pain and sacrifice are not highlighted in the history, she said while expressing gratitude to 71 Foundation, organiser of the event. Among others, former deputy speaker of the parliament and freedom fighter Col (retd) Shawkat Ali, eminent journalist Abed Khan and 71 Foundation Chairman Khaled Shwakat Ali spoke at the event. Earlier, a one-minute's silence was observed to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.