Ah me! Hasina rues not leading a normal life as Bangladesh PM

Sheikh Hasina has complained she misses not having a normal life that her security detail prevents her from.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 11 Jan 2018, 05:38 PM
Updated : 11 Jan 2018, 10:00 PM

The prime minister made no secret of her feelings while inaugurating the third National Development Fair in Chandpur through a video call from the Ganabhaban on Thursday.

There was a tinge of sadness to her smile as she spoke about the tight security that has remained a permanent fixture of her life for nine straight years now.

The daughter of the nation’s independence hero has had to give up many wishes for being the head of government.

She could travel to the districts by road but that has changed; now she has to fly in helicopter.

“My being prime minister has brought me tough luck. I could hit the road before, but no more. I now have to fly. It means I cannot enjoy a ride on the road. How sad!” Hasina told her audience.

বৃহস্পতিবার তৃতীয় জাতীয় উন্নয়ন মেলার উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে প্রধানমন্ত্রী

 

She could tickle her taste buds savouring sweets, lentil fritters or Peyaju, and other street foods at ferry or launch piers on the road.

“In every ferry pier, I would stop and find out about which sweets or food or Peyaju were delicious. I can’t do that anymore. What a pity!”

Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana escaped the Aug 15, 1975 massacre of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family as the two were abroad.

Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981 to take the helm of the Awami League after spending six years in exile.

She is serving as prime minister for a third term now.