The recent change in government was met with widespread approval, as many have long endured the humiliation of belonging to a country plagued by corruption, nepotism, abuse of power, and cronyism. Like those at home, non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) questioned how the Sheikh Hasina administration could become oppressively authoritarian. The information I shared sparked deeper inquiries about Bangladesh's gradual decline in governance quality. Many, like us, wondered how a powerful regime could collapse so swiftly and completely, a testament to the power of the people.
They were particularly impressed by the bravery of our youth. While student movements have a rich history in Bangladesh, the defining aspect of the July uprising was the involvement of young students, both boys and girls. The 2018 Road Safety Movement seemed to shatter the psychological barriers for school students, prompting them to take to the streets to advocate for justice. Families bravely joined the protests in Dhaka, displaying an act of courage often honed through military training. NRBs were repeatedly moved by the stories of these students, who were spontaneously supported by the public—including women, the elderly, and young mothers—continuing their demonstrations for days in the face of police violence. Their ability to stand up against trigger-happy police and paramilitary forces without a hint of fear or despair will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most courageous mass movements in history. The GNA audience was captivated by young women's equal participation and courage alongside their male peers in daily confrontations with law enforcement, marking a new era of equality, confidence, and self-assertion.