‘We need a leader of the nation like her who sees everyone equally’ Third-gender rights activist says at ‘Let’s Talk with PM Sheikh Hasina

Farin Ahmed, who has been working with the Pathchola Foundation for establishing the rights of third-gender people, expressed immense excitement upon meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina face-to-face. She said that she felt as if she was conversing with a member of her own family during the “Let's Talk with Sheikh Hasina” dialogue.

Farin said, “We need a leader of the nation like her who sees everyone equally, listens to everyone's problems, and is willing to work with everyone.”

When asked about the special program organized by Centre for Research and Information (CRI), Farin said, “The Prime Minister asked us questions, and we, in turn, asked her questions. She is an incredibly humane person, and she answered every question we asked, with equal dignity and perspective. I think this is one of her great qualities, which not everyone possesses.”

Before the program started, Farin admitted feeling a bit nervous. She said, “The Prime Minister told us: 'Today, among so many young people, I am an elderly person. I was nervous before coming here, thinking what questions these young and talented people would ask me! How will I answer them!' She spoke like a mother would, very affectionately. I never felt that we were talking to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It felt like we were talking to someone from our family.”

Elaborating further, Farin said, “I think every person in our country should know and understand this. The perception you have from afar may change when you come closer. Like today, when I met her for the first time, I saw how kind the Prime Minister is. For all the work she is doing for Bangladesh, we should all support and cooperate with her.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also attended the “Let's Talk” program in 2018 to exchange views with the youth. The signature event of CRI, “Let's Talk,” aims to bridge the gap between the youth and the policymakers of the country. Sajeeb Wazed has also appeared several times in this program and answered various questions posed by the youths.