Kolkata, 31 July (H.S.): Bangladesh-born author Taslima Nasrin returned to Kolkata on Friday after nearly 19 years. Her flight landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at around 12:50 p.m., where she was accorded a traditional Bengali welcome with the blowing of conch shells and uludhwani. Dressed in a white saree with a red border, Nasrin expressed her happiness on arriving in the city, saying, “It feels wonderful to be back.”

A few hours before departing for Kolkata, Nasrin had posted on X that she was beginning her journey to the city. She arrived later in the afternoon as scheduled.

Nasrin is slated to participate in a literary conference at Rabindra Sadan on Saturday. The event, organised by Secular Mission and HRBFF, is being held in opposition to religious fundamentalism. According to the organisers, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is also expected to attend the programme.

Nasrin had left Kolkata in 2007 following widespread protests and violence over the publication of her novel Dwikhandita. The controversy forced her to leave the city during the tenure of the then Left Front government led by former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Her return after nearly two decades has generated considerable interest in literary and cultural circles. Attention is now focused on her address at Saturday's event.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh