By Staff Correspondent :

A woman alone stood against the oppression, torture, humiliation and persecution of the state apparatus. Carrying the grief of losing her husband and the emptiness left by the death of her younger son, she fought relentlessly against all conspirators. She is none other than BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The struggle was long, the pain was immense, and at times even Begum Khaleda Zia felt exhausted. Yet she never retreated. She did not break, did not give up, did not lose patience. As a beacon of immense courage, she crushed all suffering beneath her feet and stood firm as a unified symbol of Bangladesh.

Today, that uncompromising leader is passing through the most difficult phase of her life. Suffering from lung infection and multiple complications, she is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Various ailments have settled in her body over her 80 years of life, making her condition extremely critical. As her health deteriorated in recent days, she was shifted to the ICU-equivalent High Dependency Unit (HDU). Millions across the country now anxiously pray for her recovery.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said, “Khaleda Zia is able to receive treatment – or one could say she is able to maintain the treatment. Based on the medical board’s decision and her physical condition, a decision will be made regarding taking her abroad.”

Political analysts said Begum Khaleda Zia’s good health is crucial for the country at this moment as in this period of democratic transition, she remains indispensable. Her sacrifices for restoring democracy and for the nation are of immense significance, they added.

They noted that despite her illness, the thoughts and guidance of such an experienced leader as the BNP Chairperson are very important in the post-uprising political landscape. Analysts said the country may suffer in her absence, as the former prime minister now stands above party politics.

Recently, while seeking prayers for her recovery, Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, “In this era of democratic transition, Khaleda Zia is an extraordinary source of inspiration for the nation.”