Living in Tears

Sheikh Hasina is acknowledged as an idealist and farsighted leader in Bangladesh politics. The unprecedented development and success that she achieved as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the period 1996-2001 has made Bangladesh a country of immense potentialities and brightened her image in the world outside. A thorughbred political personality Sheikh Hasina is forever dedicated to the service her people. This consciousness keeps her aflame in the love and trust of the service of the people. Democracy and development are her two overarching commitment in politics. Just as she had transformed the people of Bangladesh into a self-reliant nation with her courageous leadership between 1981 through 2002, likewise in developing the economy of Bangladesh in the second half of 1990s she achieved astonishing success. Talent, industry and creativity are amongst the strong traits of the boldness of her character. As a writer also the lively presence of Sheikh Hasina has been a major attraction to her readers. With her sharp pen she has depicted her ideas about the people and the society. She never forgets her readers even in the busiest hours of her political life. These articles were written by her in the wake of rude shocks with the conspiracy and malpractices surrounding the national elections in October 2001. She has boldly portrayed the terrorist barbarism of Jamaat-BNP alliance and how it rendered the life of helpless victims totally unbearable. Against the backdrop of distressed democracy and insulted humanity, whither Bangladesh is the major question she is posing to us. The daughter of the father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina was born on the 28th of September, 1947, in the remote village of Tungipara in Gopalganj district. In 1973, she obtained her B.A. degree from Dhaka University. She was elected the President of the largest political party, the Awami League in 1981. Awami League formed the government on June 23, 1996. Sheikh Hasina took the Oath of her office as Prime Minister of Bangladesh created by her father 25 years ago. Sheikh Hasina is an avid reader of books on international politics, literature And She is fond of scanning both national And international periodicals. She is also a prolific auther on subjects affecting her people and country. Amongst her published Works are the following: Ora Tokai Keno? (Why are they street children?), Bangaldeshey shairatantrerjanma (the birth of autocracy in Bangladesh), Daridra Doorikaran (Poverty Alleviation) Democracy in Distress Demeaned Humanity, Brihattar Janagoshthir Janya Unnayan (Development for the masses), People and Democracy. Boston University conferred the honorary doctorate degree in law on Sheikh Hasina on the 6th of February, 1997. Waseda University of Japan awarded the same degree to her on the 4th of July, 1997. Aberdeen Dundee University of the UK gave her an honorary doctorate degree in philosophy on October 25, 1997. She was awarded the prestigious doctorate degree (Deshikottom) (the best in land), in literature, by the Viswa Bharati University (Shantiniketan) of India on January 28, 1999. For her creative contributions in Social service, the Australian National University awarded her the doctorate of law degree honoris causa in October 1999. In the same year she was awarded the honorary doctorate degree in law by her Alma mater, Dhaka University, for her role in peace making and democracy. The world renowned Catholic University of Brussels, Belgium, conferred the honorary doctorate of law degree on Sheikh Hasina on February 4, 2000, in recognition of her role in the establishment of democracy, preservation of human rights and promotion of peace and harmony. The same year, on September 5, Bridgeport University of Connecticut, USA, awarded her the degree of doctor of human letters. She bagged the most prestigious Huphey-Boigny UNESCO award on September 24, 1999, for her political courage and statesmanlike leadership in resolving the 25-year old conflicts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (of Bangladesh). .29