Published : 18 May 2015, 01:41 AM
Updated : 23 Apr 2022, 12:43 PM
She reminisced on Sunday about her comeback six years after the Aug 15, 1975 tragedy that saw most of her family dead.
“After losing everything, it is my turn to only give. I am working for the people. I will make any sacrifice for the people, even give my life.”
The Awami League president was speaking at a reception organised by the party and affiliates marking the 34th anniversary of her return to Bangladesh following the assassination of the nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Remembering the days immediately after the fateful day in 1975, she broke into tears. “Sometimes I heard mother was alive. Sometimes I heard *youngest brother) Russel was alive.
“I did not know where to go. (Former foreign minister) Humayun Rashid gave me refuge at his home. I was keen to get back.
“I came to Delhi. Heard no one was alive. Within 15 days, I lost everything.”
Hasina had flown to Germany with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, daughter Saima Wazed Hossain Putul and son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Ahmed Joy on July 30, 1971 to be with her husband.
“Many cannot stand losing even one in their family. I lost all of my family.
“They would not let me come back. I took political asylum in India. I was there for six years. They (military rulers in Bangladesh) tried to make sure that I don’t come back.”
Rehana had gone to London from Delhi in 1977.
“I came back with Putul. Rehana took Joy to London. I got down at the airport. There were millions of people. In the crowd, I was looking for...”
The prime minister again broke into tears.
She started again breaking the pin-drop silence in Bangabhaban’s Banquet Hall.
“I was showered with love from the people. But the loved ones I left back, I found none of them.”
Hasina continued that she was seen off by Sheikh Kamal, Sultana Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Parveen Jamal Rosy and Sheikh Russel before she left for Germany.
“When I came back... none of them were there. It was hard to bear... Rows of graves in Banani Graveyard.... Such barbarism...
“The prime minister’s wife who did not spend a day at the Ganabhaban, led a decent life, they did not even spare her.”
“I had lost everything. But, I got the love of the people. So many people blessed me.”
“Blow after blow came. I did not lose my way. I remembered my parents. There are many memories. Many of them hard to describe, I cannot.”
The prime minister continued that she had the people alongside her and that their prayers, blessings were her strength.
“Nobody thought the Awami League would regain power. Pro-liberation people would stand tall. We started the journey toward light.
“We have to be careful so that Bangladesh does not re-enter the dark ages.”
