Her struggles, her achievements, and her steadfast commitment to the country are truly a source of inspiration that motivate to be brave and break barriers, said some of the brightest young minds of the country who attended the latest edition of the interactive dialogue “Let’s Talk” that featured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina taking questions from them.

She appeared as approachable and affectionate as a family member; deeply moved by this face to face session with the PM, they said, excited at the opportunity to ask her questions covering practically all spheres of national interest that impact the young.

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Center for Research and Information (CRI), a prominent nonprofit research organization, orchestrated the 52nd episode of its “Let’s Talk” series yesterday, bringing in a diverse assembly of over 300 young individuals from rural and urban backgrounds. This vibrant group included super achievers, transgender icons, sports stars, and international award winners.

“An evening with the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh! It was an absolute privilege moderating ‘Let’s Talk with Sheikh Hasina’,” is how Bangladesh’s leading young scientist Dr Senjuti Saha described the experience on her X (formerly Twitter) account. 

Ranked as one of the 100 “best and brightest” scientists of Asia and lauded by Microsoft Corp's co-founder Bill Gates, Dr Senjuti, also wrote, “Watching her engage so openly and honestly with the youth made two hours fly by! An evening I’ll cherish forever.”

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Sadat Rahman, 2020 International Children's Peace Prize winner, echoed this sentiment. "Her keen interest in our concerns truly sets her apart. She’s not just a leader; she’s an inspiration," he said, appreciating Sheikh Hasina's wit and acumen.

The dialogue session, set for airing next Friday, highlighted various critical issues. 

Trans rights activist Hochemin Islam referred to the highly discriminatory attitude towards her as authorities of a private university refused her entry to an event she was supposed to attend, and asked the PM: “What are your action plans for marking a shift in the traditional viewpoint held towards our community? Our community still faces hatred and discrimination.”

Shahriar Babla, who leads an organization that works with youths in a remote part of the country, referred to the US “double standards” regarding conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine. He also pointed out the “unjustified bullying” of smaller countries by major powers and asked the PM how Bangladesh can deal with such external pressures.

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Arifur Rahman, founder of "Bhalo Kajer Hotel" that gained prominence for serving free meals to the underprivileged at five key points in Dhaka, floated a unique idea: “Is it possible to make it mandatory for public servants to do at least one good deed every day?” 

Tahsin Jahan, a journalist and university student, raised concerns about women's safety, suggesting practical government measures like establishing daycare centers to encourage female workforce participation.

Environmental activist Shamim Mridha criticized developed nations for not fulfilling their commitments to climate change, especially relevant to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh, at COP28.