Wednesday marks the 75th birthday of the visionary leader Sheikh Hasina. Born to a political family, she started her political career while still a student and has to date been serving as the president of the Awami League for 41 consecutive years. She is in her fourth term in office as prime minister of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina is now renowned for being one of the most powerful women in the world. She has been praised across the globe for her vision, intelligence and tactful diplomacy.
Although she is the eldest among the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Hasina’s political journey has been far from smooth. Her entire life was turned on its head following the brutal assassination of her esteemed father and most of the family on August 15, 1975.
File photo: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman waves at Awami League supporters who gathered at his Dhanmondi 32 residence as his daughter Sheikh Hasina looks on from the balcony on March 23, 1971 CourtesyThe four-time prime minister was born in Tungipara, Gopalganj, on September 28, 1947 and spent much of her childhood in the small village where she was born. She also started her schooling there.
When Bangabandhu was elected as a legislator, Sheikh Hasina’s family moved to Dhaka in 1954. She was admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Girls' School and College and later moved to Azimpur Girls' High School, where she completed her secondary education in 1965.
She was then admitted to Badrunnesa Government Girls' College. During her bachelor’s course, she was elected vice-president of the students' union of Eden Girls' College in 1966-67 (Badrunnessa and Eden Girls' Colleges were a single entity during the period).
Later, she enrolled in a masters' program in Bangla at Dhaka University. While a student of DU, she served as general secretary of the Rokeya hall unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
As a student leader, Sheikh Hasina actively participated in the anti-Ayub movement of 1962, the historic Six-Point movement of 1966, and the student movement of 1969.
Sheikh Hasina has spoken about her history in student politics in various speeches. On one occasion, she said: “I have been involved in politics since my school life. I was a member of the Chhatra League in college and university. When I studied at Dhaka University, I was a member of the University Chhatra League committee. But I never thought about my position and never wanted a post.”
During the Six-Point movement of 1966 and the Mass Upsurge of 1969, Sheikh Hasina played a vital role alongside her mother by assisting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
After the assassination of her parents in 1975, Sheikh Hasina and her family were offered political asylum in India, where she stayed till 1981. That year, she was elected president of the Awami League in absentia.
Sheikh Hasina returned home on May 17, 1981, to be welcomed back home by a mammoth crowd that extended from the Airport to Farmgate and Manik Miah Avenue, where she addressed a public rally.
Since 1981, Sheikh Hasina has been one of the key leaders of Bangladesh and become a global icon through her work and vision for Bangladesh. She has received several international awards and recognitions throughout her life.
On her watch, Bangladesh has become a lower-middle income country with a strong financial base, showing significant resilience throughout the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in the USA, where she spoke at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
