Rashed's View

When Forbes recently published their list of The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, I was surprised to find that I have met two of them before, although I am sure that neither will know who I am (now). Khaleda Zia, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, is at #33. The first time I met her was before she became a politician herself. I was visiting the home of her husband, the then-President General Zia ur Rahman. I distinctly remember that right after I shook hands with the president, she pulled my cheeks. I was 3 years old. The other person is Paula Rosput at #58, the CEO of Safeco Co. whom I met on an elevator ride when she was at one of her old jobs. The company I work for was doing consulting work for her company, and she said that she likes for us to come in to help do the work. After a pause, she added, “I also like for you to finish the work and leave so we can take it from there.”