Taslima Nasrin (born: August 25, 1962) is a Bengali writer and former physician who has been in exile from Bangladesh since 1994. Emerging as a poet in the 1970s, she gained immense fame in the early 1990s. She is known for her feminist views expressed in her essays and novels, as well as for her criticism of Islam and other misogynistic religions. In the early 1990s, she gained global attention for her essays and novels, which carried strong feminist perspectives and critical views on religions she deemed oppressive. She advocates for freedom of thought and human rights through publications, lectures, and activism.  

Taslima’s commonly accepted birthdate is August 25, 1962, but in reality, she was born on Monday, September 5, 1960, in Mymensingh, then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). She earned a medical degree from Mymensingh Medical College in 1986 and worked as a government doctor until 1994. She started writing poetry when she was still in school.  

Due to the fatwas issued against her in Bangladesh, she currently lives in exile in Kolkata. However, after protests by Muslims in Kolkata, she had to spend some time in Delhi and later in Sweden. She returned to India in January 2010 and applied for permanent citizenship, but the Indian government has not made a decision yet. After living in Europe and the United States for over a decade, Taslima moved to India in 2005 but was expelled in 2008. However, she has since been residing in Delhi. She has been granted Swedish citizenship.  

Fighting for women's dignity and rights, Taslima Nasrin has lost much—her entire family, marriage, and career. The ultimate consequence was her exile from her homeland.  

At one point, she was offered to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss 8 by Colors TV, but she refused to take part.  

Some of her notable novels include Lajja, Oporpokkho, Nimontron, Phera, and Besharam. Her autobiographical works span multiple volumes, including Amar Meyebela, Uttal Hawa, Dwikhondito, Shei Sob Andhakar, Mujhe Ghar Le Chalo, Nahin, Kahin Kuch Bhi Nahin, and Nirvasan.

Her poetry collections include Nirbashito Bahire Ontore, Nirbashito Narir Kobita, Khali Khali Lage, and Bondini. Among her essay collections are Nosto Meye Nosto Gaddo, Chhoto Chhoto Dukho Kotha, and Narir Kono Desh Nei.

Taslima has received hundreds of awards and honors worldwide for her liberal and independent views. Some of these include:  

Ananda Literary Award, 1992 and 2000
Nattyasava Award, Bangladesh, 1992
Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, European Parliament, 1994
French Government Human Rights Award, 1994
Édit de Nantes Prize, France, 1994
Kurt Tucholsky Prize, Swedish PEN, 1994
Helman-Hammett Grant for Human Rights, United Nations, 1994
"Emperor Has No Clothes" Award, Freedom From Religion Foundation, USA, 2015