Dhaka, Aug. 16 -- Begum Khaleda Zia is one of the most prominent and influential political leaders in the history of Bangladesh. Begum Khaled Zia's political career covered four decades, full of intense struggles, electoral triumphs, mass movements, political repression, and significant contributions to democratic changeovers.

Despite huge personal losses, political setbacks, and years of incarceration, she remains a figure of courage, determination, and democratic aspiration not just for her party-the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-but for vast citizens across political divides.

Khaleda Zia, born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur came into politics after the tragic assassination of her husband, Shahid President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981 ...