Kolkata, Oct. 4 -- When Bangladeshi author in exile Taslima Nasrin meets Ratna Debnath at Mahajati Sadan on October 8, it is likely to be more than a meeting between two
public figures.
The duo will be honoured with the Uma Samman. For Taslima, however, the occasion holds special significance as she looks forward to meeting Ratna, bringing together a doctor-writer who has spent three decades in exile speaking out against violence against women and a mother whose doctor daughter was raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Hospital on August 9, 2024.
Taslima is particularly keen to meet Debnath at the Uma Samman awards, where the two are expected to interact. Taslima recently recalled that she had visited Panihati in August to pay floral tribute at Begum Rokeya's grave. During the visit, she had planned to meet Ratna, who is now an MLA.
"But I didn't know her personally, though I still wanted to support her and meet her. I was worried she might feel awkward if I visited her without an appointment, so I decided not to go to her home," Taslima said.
For Taslima, who has consistently used her writing and public voice to challenge patriarchy and violence against women, the encounter could also be a moment of listening and reflection.
"I am keen to hear from a mother who lost her daughter under circumstances that shook Bengal and the medical fraternity," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.