Sheikh Hasina, Daughter of Democracy

June 23, 1996, is not merely the day Sheik Hasina was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the nation her father founded 25 years ago. On this day, the people of Bangladesh once again perceived the outcome of their right to freely elect their representatives. After 21 years of oppression, free-wheeling corruption and overt and covert martial law, democracy had finally been restored.

Hasina was born on Sept. 28, 1947, in Tungipara, a remote village under the Gopalganj district, which is also the birthplace of her father. She is the eldest daughter of the founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her mother, Begum Fazilatunnesa, was widely respected as a tender-hearted lady and for her love for the poor and needy people.

In 1968, Hasina married eminent Bangladesh scientist Dr. M.A. Wazed Miah. They have a son and a daughter. After her marriage, Sheik Hasina continued her studies and graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1973.

Scion of a political family, she was actively involved in student politics. She was the go-between in maintaining contact between her father and the political and student leaders during Mujibur Rahman's repeated imprisonments by the Pakistani rulers in the 1960s.

Always popular among students, Hasina, as president of the Eden Girls College unit of the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, was also elected Chief of the Student Union in 1966. She was a member of the Student League of Dhaka University and Secretary of the Student League unit of Rokeya Hall. She participated in the 1969 mass movement, and, at the time of the War of Liberation in 1971, was imprisoned by the Pakistan occupation army along with other members of her family.

On August 15, 1975, army officers assassinated her father, mother, three brothers and all the residents of her father's house. Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana survived the carnage because they were visiting West Germany.

Hasina was forced to live in exile because of the restrictions put on her by General Ziaur Rahman, president of Bangladesh at the time. In 1981, she was elected president of the largest political party of Bangladesh, and no force could prevent her return to Bangladesh on May 17, 1981. She was heartily welcomed by millions of people, who were eagerly waiting for the return of the daughter of democracy.

Hasina is the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh to have succeeded in leading the ordinary masses to the threshold of political power. Governments have come and gone since the assassination of Mujibur Rahman, but the toiling masses, who form the bulk of Bangladesh's population, were always kept at bay by the power of the state.

They were used as vassals by successive military dictators, but were never taken into confidence. They were used as showpieces to donors in the dictators' bids to get foreign aid and assistance. When the aid came, the dictators and their hand- picked few plundered most of it. Poverty continued in its endemic form.

The June 12 election was an outcome of a vigorous and uncompromising political movement of the people led by Hasina and her party, which gave the people the chance to choose from among those who represent the power of the people, and not those who epitomize the military oligarchy.

She earned the admiration of the nation when she converted her only home, Bangabandhu Bhaban, into Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum.

Hasina is an avid reader of books and journals on international politics, literature and social welfare. She is the author of several books, including The Plight of the Street Children, The Origin of Autocracy and Elimination of Poverty and Some Thoughts. She has also written numerous articles on different social, economic and political issues of the country.

She is a prominent member of the cultural organization Culture and Literature Sangha, and is a founding member of one of the country's leading sports club, Abahani Krira Chakra. She has performed the haj three times, in 1985, 1992 and 1996.

Endless patience, perseverance and tenacity of heart, combined with good judgment and regard for humanity are what define the personality and qualities of leadership in Sheikh Hasina.