Khaleda Zia and me
I can't compare myself with Begum Khaleda Zia, because I never joined politics, but I suffered much more than her at her whims and for no fault of mine. She could weep in front of the world for loss of one of her houses. But I could not even go to the press when I lost my career, my livelihood. I was a district level officer in 2001 when she won the general election. I was in the threshold of my career which I so carefully nurtured with utmost honesty.
But all of a sudden, without any notice whatsoever, I was thrown out of my job. I was literally on the street with all three of my school going children and an ailing wife. I had to make over charge and leave the government quarter within 24 hours. My only fault was that one of my six brothers was in politics and belonged to the party opposing Khaleda Zia government.
Our attempt to get immediate relief in the High Court was thwarted by unusual interventions. After a gruelling legal battle for 7 years, I got back my position. In the meantime, I had attained my retirement age. I got post facto pay and position, but not the lost years. My eldest daughter, a brilliant student studying abroad, faltered seriously at our family debacle as did other family members
I did not enjoy Begum Zia's tears in front of the media, but urge upon our leaders to feel others' distress.
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