Millions of people flock to bid farewell to Khaleda Zia

The capital's Manik Mia Avenue and its surrounding areas have become an ocean of people. As far as the eye can see—only people and people. Millions of people have rushed to the capital to bid farewell to the uncompromising leader, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. People's love, respect and tears have accompanied Khaleda Zia on that eternal farewell from which she will never return.

People from different classes and professions, starting from party leaders and activists present at the funeral at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, are crying inwardly. Many are unable to hold back their emotions. Some are crying hysterically. Who will console whom—that language seems to have been lost.

This huge crowd has made it clear that Khaleda Zia, who fought for the country and democracy all her life and became a symbol of national unity at the end of her life, is not just a former Prime Minister or BNP Chairperson. The presence of people seems to prove that she has risen above her political identity and become a part of history.

People from different districts of the country have rushed to bid farewell to their beloved leader. Even nature seems to have been a part of the farewell. After a few days of bitter cold, the sweet sunshine has risen in the capital today. This is giving some relief to the people who have come to attend the funeral.

Around 1:30 pm, a stream of people could be seen in the Parliament Building area, Manik Mia Avenue and the surrounding roads. The stream reached Farmgate.

Begum Khaleda Zia's body reached the South Plaza of the Parliament Building at 11:48 am amid tight security. The body was brought in a freezer van wrapped in the red-green national flag as per state protocol.

Earlier, the freezer van carrying the body started its journey from the house of her son Tarique Rahman in Gulshan at around 11 am. Khaleda Zia's body was first taken to Gulshan from Evercare Hospital in the capital in the morning.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 am on Tuesday after being under treatment at Evercare Hospital for a long time. The most persecuted and influential politician in the country's history passed away at the age of 80. She had been suffering from various complex diseases including heart disease, lung, liver, kidney and diabetes for a long time.