Bhola, Dec. 31 -- Fatema, longtime caregiver of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and her family are grief-stricken following the leader's death.

Since 2010, Fatema has been devoted to serving Begum Zia, even accompanying her to prison when required. Her father, Rafizul Mia, said the family was almost speechless with sorrow after hearing the news, and the atmosphere at their home in Shahmadar village of Kachia Union, Bhola Sadar, is somber.

Fatema, the eldest of two daughters, lost her husband shortly after marriage and moved to Dhaka with her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son to seek livelihood. Through a relative, she began working as Begum Zia's household caretaker in 2010 and has served the leade...