Dev Kishore Chakraborty 

Firoza Begum's language of protest against the harsh realities of rural India, gender inequality, and family adversity is a strong statement. The poet and writer in her, though, has emerged from a phase of struggle.

She was born into a respectable family in Jubuni village of Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Her parents, Abdul Hakim Mallick and Arestun Bibi, faced poverty, disease, and social uncertainty, due to which her childhood was difficult.

The struggle for survival of her family and relatives during the terrible smallpox epidemic influenced and triggered a humanitarian spirit in her.

In her childhood, when women's education was neglected in rural society, she completed her schooling. She broke many social barriers. The discrimination and neglect she faced while in school ignited the spirit of rebellion in her, which, in due course, made the language of her writing sharp, protestant and sensitive.

Feroza Begum with an award

In 1974, she married Nurul Haque Mallick, a science-minded teacher. With her husband's liberal attitude and inspiration, she managed to balance both her family life and pursuit of literature. She made sure her four daughters got educated and financially independent, self-reliant. Although her husband's death in 2016 left a deep void in her life, she did not stop pursuing literature.

Since 1992, Firoza Begum has been regularly writing poems, songs and essays. His writings have been published in various literary magazines of Murshidabad, Rampurhat and Kolkata, Pragati, Trinayani, Kalam, Bhabbana, Sangbad Darpan, Roddur, Arpan, etc.

Besides, she is also a regular participant in the radio and television programs and has received recognition beyond her hometown and community.

The poetry collection "Nayantara" published in 2010) and "Aparajita" published in 2014) clearly reflect the struggle of women, the adversities of life, and the human spirit.

She proofread and published the book, despite illness and limitations, and it reflected her perseverance.

 Firoza Begum has received several honours and awards in recognition of her contribution to literary endeavours.

The reception by the Bhabna O Anubhavber Dana newspaper of Rampurhat, the Rokeya Award from the Roddur newspaper, certificates from various radio stations in Kolkata and Baharampur, the Ambedkar Shilpi Ratna Award from New Barrackpore, and the recent "Best Bengali" award from the Asha Foundation are important recognitions of her literary and humanitarian activities.

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The life of poet Firoza Begum is not just the autobiography of a writer, it is a courageous document of a struggling woman. Her pen still bears witness to the fact that even in the deep darkness of adversity, education, humanity and literature are capable of illuminating the path of humanity.