“Sheikh Hasina’s life is an episode of struggle. She returned home (from exile) on May 17, 1981. During her 40 years’ journey, Sheikh Hasina stayed beside people in every crisis, movement, development and achievement,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking at a seminar arranged by Media for Development and Peace (MDP) at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC), marking the 74th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Awami League Women Affairs Secretary Meher Afroz Chumki, MP and Senior Secretary and SDG Affairs Coordinator at the PMO Zuena Aziz, among others, addressed the seminar, held with JPC General Secretary Farida Yasmin in the chair.

Dr Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Awami League, said there have been 19 assassination attempts on Sheikh Hasina, but she never became worried and disappointed after returning from the valley of death. “Rather she took the country forward with a fresh vigour and conviction.”

He said one of the incomparable qualities of Hasina is she can firmly deal with any crisis overcoming all the obstacles. “That’s why she’s unique.”

The minister said the Awami League President established democracy and people’s voting rights through her tough struggles. “Under her magical leadership, Bangladesh has turned into a middle-income country from a least developed one, and a food-surplus country from a food-deficit one.”

Recalling Sheikh Hasina’s role in women empowerment, he said Bangladesh is now an example of women's empowerment to other countries of the world.

After assuming office in 1996, Dr Hasan said Sheikh Hasina had ensured 33 percent seats for women in the local government bodies. “No one ever thought that a woman would be the chairman-member of a union parishad or the mayor-councilor of a municipality or the chairman-vice chairman of a upazila parishad. “There is now no post from SP to major general and secretary to the judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court that women are not holding.”

Also read: PM Hasina’s 74th birthday celebrated