James Leo Ferguson

James Leo Ferguson (Bengali: জেমস লিও ফার্গুসন), commonly known by the nickname Nanka, is a Bangladeshi politician, tea industrialist, and freedom fighter.[1] He is the owner of Lobhachhara Tea Estate.[2] Ferguson was elected as a people's representative after the liberation of Bangladesh. From 1976 to 1993, for a stretch of 17 years, he was the chairman of Lakshmiprasad Union, Kanaighat, Sylhet.[3]

James Leo Ferguson
জেমস লিও ফার্গুসন
Born
Kanaighat, Sylhet, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
British
Other namesNanka
Alma materArmy Burn Hall College
Cumilla Cadet College
Occupation
Years active1976–present
Political partyBangladesh Awami League
Chairman of Lakshmiprasad Union
In office
1976–1993
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch/serviceMukti Bahini
Battles/warsBangladesh Liberation War
Websitelakshiprashadpurboup.sylhet.gov.bd

Background

Ferguson was born in Kanaighat, Sylhet. He is an Anglo-Indian. His forefathers were from Scotland. His great grandfather Donald Ferguson had fought in World War I. His father James Arthur Ferguson joined the British army too and took part in World War II. After the Second World War, Arthur Ferguson retired from the army and took up a job at the India Isabella Tea Estate. Leo Ferguson's mother June Ferguson became the manager of the Lobhachhara tea garden. She was the first female tea garden manager in the Indian subcontinent at that time. Later they bought the tea garden.[4]

Education

Ferguson studied at Cumilla Cadet College and graduated in 1971. At the end of April that year, he ran away from Cumilla and came to Sylhet.

Participation in the Liberation War

Map showing Bangladesh Liberation War Sectors

After returning to Lobhachhara, Ferguson crossed over into India taking his mother's permission. He underwent military training and joined Bangladesh Liberation War.[4] Perhaps the soldier's blood that ran in his veins prompted him to join the liberation war. According to him,

"I was born in this land. I fought for this land. My mother inspired me. I fought from August under sub-sector 5. I was a Scotsman and my comrades loved me. They were inspired by the war experiences of my forefathers."[4]

Personal life

In 1982, Leo married a Scottish women named Quinla. They have two sons. His wife and sons live in London, UK. As a people's representative, he lives in Kanaighat. But they travel back and forth. Ferguson celebrates Victory day of Bangladesh quietly at his tea garden.[4]

References

  1. সুখী দেশের জন্য প্রাণপণ যুদ্ধ করতে হবে. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 17 December 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. Fahmida, Luma (2 November 2018). রূপকথার রাজ্যে [In the realm of fairy tales]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. Liton, Debabrata Chowdhury (22 April 2016). কানাইঘাটে চেয়ারম্যান প্রার্থী স্কটিশ বংশোদ্ভূত লিও ফারগুসন নানকা [The chairman candidate in Kanaighat is Leo Ferguson Nanka of Scottish descent]. SylhetToday24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. Mehedi, Ujjwal (11 December 2016). "'I fought for this land'". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
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