When Bangladesh refused to renew my passport, I used U.N. travel documents. You can't disown your country.

I was well acquainted with the Calcutta literary circle since I was 17, when I lived in Bangladesh and published and edited a little magazine called 'Sejuti,' for which young poets from both Bengals wrote. If you look at my life, there is no question of using anyone for anything. I have only got banned, blacklisted and banished.

I have had fatwas issued against me, some three in Bangladesh and another five in India. I will not be cowed by these threats and shall fight for my rights.

Among all the 'awards' that I have hitherto collected, I consider the title of 'patita' or 'fallen woman' to be the highest. This is an achievement of my long-struggling life as a writer and as a woman.

Nature says women are human beings, men have made religions to deny it. Nature says women are human beings, men cry out no!

I am an atheist. I do not believe in prayers, I believe in work. And my work is that of an author. My pen is my weapon.

I have been writing poetry since 1975. My first poetry book was published in 1986.