You entered this world on 28 September 1947. The child born into the household of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib eventually grew, through the passage of time, into one of the most enduring and widely discussed figures in Bangladeshi politics.

The journey of your life was never smooth. Bloody history, the grief of losing loved ones, exile, political adversity, movements, and struggles—you had to navigate countless ups and downs. The journey that began with your return to the motherland on 17 May 1981 after a prolonged exile remained intricately woven into the fabric of Bangladeshi politics for over four decades, extending up to August 2024.

Across this long passage, your journey encompassed notable achievements as well as controversy, criticism, and challenging political phases. History is never linear—nor can the legacy of any statesman be evaluated solely through a single-dimensional lens of praise or condemnation.

Yet it remains undeniable that several chapters of your political life have left a profound imprint on Bangladesh’s history.

The establishment of the International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute the 1971 crimes against humanity and the judicial process surrounding the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stand as pivotal political and state actions of your tenure.

The nation expected much from you—and continues to do so. While some of those expectations were fulfilled, others remained unaddressed. The actions of those around you, the administration, and the broader political sphere remain subjects of extensive debate, scrutiny, and criticism. History will one day deliver an impartial judgment on these matters.

You possessed a resolute determination. While that firmness occasionally propelled you to the heights of success, politics also extracted a heavy price for unyielding stubbornness and inflexibility an observation that cannot be overlooked in the study of history.

It is perhaps the paradox of determination and humanity within your political persona that made you such a widely discussed figure. To your supporters, you were an uncompromising leader; to your critics, numerous decisions of your regime remain deeply questioned. To history, however, you remain the central figure of a defining political era.

Your long political journey, political acumen, organisational leadership, and mental fortitude in confronting adversity elevated you to a distinct position in Bangladeshi politics. Under your stewardship, Bangladesh underwent notable transformations in socio-economic development, infrastructure, and various state initiatives even as these advances coexisted with ongoing debates regarding democracy, human rights, and the political environment.

In August 2024, a dramatic chapter of your political career came to a close. On 5 August, you resigned from the office of Prime Minister and left the country.

Yet the doors of history never close completely.

Just as the dark clouds in the north-eastern sky eventually disperse, the tide of time re-evaluates all present calculations. Today’s defeat, today’s accomplishments, or today’s controversies none of these constitute the final word of history.

Only time will reveal what sun rises in tomorrow’s eastern sky, which political forces return and in what manner, or how history ultimately judges each figure.

Footnote The Awami League remains one of the oldest political parties in Bangladesh. The deep-seated emotions, memories, history, and grassroots connections surrounding a political organisation do not vanish overnight. In a nation defined by political ebbs and flows, time inevitably brings a re-evaluation of parties and political movements.

Whether a political force can re-emerge before the public in a renewed form through refinement, self-criticism, and the restoration of public trust is a matter that time and the electorate will decide.

The Bengali people may forget many things, yet they also remember much with deep affection. Ultimately, it is time that holds the final verdict in the pages of history not any individual, party, or fleeting moment.

Sheikh Hasina,

Warmest wishes on your 80th birthday.

At this stage of your life, we wish you good health, longevity, and a peaceful existence.

History will one day deliver a fair and objective assessment of all the light and shadow, the triumphs and setbacks, and the achievements and controversies of your life.

Happy Birthday.