'At 23, Benazir was already a politician'

Benazir Bhutto, the charismatic former prime minister of Pakistan is no more, but her thoughts will linger on for many years to come. Her death has shocked the world and thrown the future of Pakistan into jeopardy.

One of Benazir's contemporaries at Oxford University, where she studied, recalls that she was a woman of substance and spoke in the most inspiring manner even when in college.

Anmol Vellani, a theatre director and actor from Bangalore, studied at Oxford University when Benazir was pursuing her post graduation in philosophy and economics in 1976. He recalls Benazir's speeches and says they very inspiring.

"At the time when she was canvassing for the post of president of the Oxford Union in 1976, we realised that her political temperament was strong," he said. She won that election.

She won praise for the manner in which she debated and also for her hard-hitting speeches, Vellani said, adding, Benazir was always sure that her future lay in politics and even at the age of 23, she was already a politician.

"Benazir always spoke in an inspiring manner and most of the students from South East Asia looked up to her. She had the charm and won the hearts of several Asians at Oxford," he said.

"She always spoke bravely about several issues dogging her country, which impressed many. She was great and always believed in promoting freedom. Her main aim was to safeguard the interests of the weak," Vellani said.

Coverage: Benazir Bhutto Assassinated