Reuters reported "she was leaving India because of failing health after being forced to live in a secret hideaway without any visitors for nearly four months, Violent protests by Muslim groups in November forced Indian authorities to rush out the controversial writer from her home in Kolkata where she lived for four years" "I have not been able to see a good cardiologist for the last few months and I have a serious heart problem," Nasreen, 45, told Reuters by phone. "I also cannot see properly and need medical attention immediately." Nasreen, was conferred the Prix Simone de Beauvoir by the French government for her feminist writings, but was not allowed by the Indian government to receive it from visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy in January.