Bangladesh: A Joyous Birthday Ode to our Beloved Leader Sheikh Hasina

Today, on the 28th of September 2025, our beloved Premier Sheikh Hasina enters her seventy–eight year of life.

On this auspicious occasion, I extend my heartfelt felicitations: Happy Birthday, Sheikh Hasina. My purpose in writing is twofold: first, to express my gratitude to her for being a thoughtful, wise, and courageous leader whom I hold in the highest admiration; and second, to wish her good health, renewed strength, and unbroken resolve in the days and years ahead.

A Leader Who Emboldens Others

To be in her presence is an experience in itself. When one sits with her, she has the rare ability to make people feel that their voices, their ideas, and their lived experiences truly matter. Many young women, long relegated to the margins of society, have drawn courage from her example. Under her inspiration, they have dared to step into spheres previously closed to them—appearing on television, entering politics, influencing policy, and reshaping their communities. Hasina has always been that kind of leader: one who listens, one who validates, and one who encourages people to find confidence in themselves. She never turns away from responsibility; when the opportunity arises to act for the common good, she does so without hesitation. By her actions, she has infused joy, dignity, and hope into the lives of countless ordinary citizens in Bangladesh.

Daughter of Bangabandhu, Heir to His Courage

Like her illustrious father, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina is fearless. She stands as a stateswoman of unmatched bravery, a politician of vision and principle, and a patriot unwavering in her loyalty to her homeland. Heroes and heroines are not defined by popular opinion but by the moral fiber that guides them. Hasina exemplifies this truth: she has endured criticism, hostility, and unimaginable trials, yet she continues to do what is right, guided by her conscience and her devotion to her people.

A Heroine Defined by Integrity

A true hero or heroine is someone who changes lives, makes a difference, and carries themselves with integrity. Sheikh Hasina embodies all these traits. She is not remembered merely for her political role, but for her essence—her character, her steadfastness, and her humanity. Her decisions, often difficult and unpopular, reveal her commitment to principle over expedience. Unlike many women of her generation who were denied education and opportunity, she drew upon her learning and intellect to shape the destiny of Bangladesh. She has lived as the very model of the kind of leader one might aspire to emulate: courageous, principled, and unwaveringly dedicated to the greater good.

The Measure of Happiness and Leadership

Someone once asked me what I considered the three essential ingredients for happiness. I answered: the honesty to live truthfully with oneself and others; the knowledge that one has done one’s best in both personal and professional life; and the ability to love selflessly. Sheikh Hasina, to me, embodies all three. In her public career she has pursued honesty, excellence, and love for her people. She has used her position not to indulge in personal gain but to uplift the marginalized and bring prosperity to those forgotten by history.

A Humanitarian in Politics

Her humanitarian achievements are many. She has not only governed but also served. She has listened, empathized, and acted. She has gone out of her way to resolve the struggles of countless individuals, even while carrying the burdens of statecraft herself. For these reasons, she is more than a leader—she is a role model, a beacon, and a moral compass.

A hero is not a mythical figure but a human being with extraordinary determination, courage, and compassion. Hasina has stood firm against adversity, even when the odds were overwhelming. She has fought for the rights of women in a time when society ridiculed their demands for equality. Her bravery and resolve shine as an inspiration not just for Bangladesh, but for the world at large.

The Hope of a Nation

Bangladesh has always been a land of resilience. Our people have suffered wars, poverty, disasters, and betrayals, yet they continue to dream of a better tomorrow. Under Hasina’s leadership, those dreams are taking shape. She understands that hope alone is insufficient; it must be matched by urgency, action, and tangible results. As she often stresses, development cannot be postponed—because delay erodes faith. Through her tireless efforts, children of Bangladesh are beginning to smile again, their eyes filled with faith in the future.

The transformation of Bangladesh under her leadership has drawn the world’s attention. Economic growth, infrastructural development, and social progress have lifted millions. Rightly has it been said: If Rabindranath Tagore is the poet of thought, if Bangabandhu is the poet of politics, then Sheikh Hasina is the poetess of development.

A Multifaceted Woman of Destiny

Sheikh Hasina is not only a political leader but also a woman of extraordinary versatility. She combines resilience with grace, determination with compassion, and vision with practicality. Her philosophy resonates with the words of Professor Farkhonda Hassan: “The objective now is not to renegotiate our dreams, but to emphasize accountability. We are no longer seeking promises, but demanding action.” Hasina embodies this ethos: she demands action, insists on accountability, and transforms dreams into reality.

Champion of Women’s Empowerment

In every aspect of her public service, Hasina has advanced the cause of women. She has wielded her political prominence, her international stature, and her grassroots sensibilities to open new avenues for women in education, science, technology, politics, and culture. In doing so, she has changed not only the face of Bangladesh but also the global discourse on gender equality.

Justice and the Struggle Against Impunity

Her courage is especially evident in her determination to bring the war criminals of 1971 to justice. She understood that a nation cannot move forward while injustice festers. In this she reflects the wisdom of Jane Addams: “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us.” Hasina has striven to ensure that justice belongs not to a few but to all.

A Legacy of Reform and Bravery

Like her father, she has challenged entrenched powers, bridged social divides, and dared to think independently. She has never hesitated to sacrifice personal comfort or safety for the sake of her nation. Such sacrifice is the essence of true heroism.

There are rare individuals whose presence feels like a divine blessing. Sheikh Hasina is such a person. To meet her is to feel the force of history, the warmth of humanity, and the strength of conviction. She is not merely a stateswoman but a symbol of Bangladesh’s indomitable spirit.

A Stateswoman for the Ages

Unlike many who use political office for self-enrichment, Hasina has always placed her people first. Her integrity has elevated her to the ranks of the great stateswomen of history. She will be remembered not merely for what she accomplished, but for the way she led—with honesty, compassion, and resolve.

Conclusion: A Birthday Beyond Celebration

As we celebrate her seventy–eight birthdays, let us not see it merely as a day of festivity but as a moment of reflection. Sheikh Hasina’s life teaches us that perseverance, hard work, and selfless service are the true engines of progress. On this day, we thank her for her inspiration, her sacrifice, and her leadership.

Happy birthday, Sheikh Hasina. We eagerly await your return to Bangladesh from exile, to once again take the helm of our beloved nation, to restore what has been despoiled under the unlawful puppet regime of Yunus, and to carry forward your epic works of development for the prosperity of Bangladesh and the wellbeing of her people.

May your journey continue to light the path for Bangladesh, guiding our beloved nation to greater heights of dignity, justice, and prosperity.

Written by Anwar A. Khan 

×