... During her two-and-a-half year tenure, Hasina ... has scored successes in several fields, unlike Khaleda Zia.

She dazzled Bangladesh when she signed the Ganga water sharing agreement with India on 2 December, 1996, within six months of assuming office, forcing New Delhi to recognise Bangladesh's rights on the river water. She also persuaded the 2,000 Shanti Bahini guerrillas to surrender and brought back over 60,000 Chakma refugees from the Indian State of Tripura.

While her critics apprehended the death of millions in history's worst floods in Bangladesh in 1998, Hasina ... successfully weathered the ravages. Not a. single Bangladeshi died of starvation ... She arranged free food supplies to an estimated four million farmers hit by the floods.

Another significant achievement has. been ... empowerment of women in Bangladesh (with seats) reserved for women at all tiers of local government ... (Source: The Sunday, 8-13 February, 1999)