Monday, March 7 2005 22:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: After declaring that her soul lived in India, where she is seeking citizenship, controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen today (Mar 7, 2005) pledged her body to a city-based NGO for posthumous medical use.

Nasreen, who has courted controversy in the past with her bold writings, said she wanted to contribute something 'substantial' to society and pledging her body was just a small step towards that.

"I consider this (body donation) a very humbling act. And I have always stood for anything that means contributing to society in any way," Nasreen, dressed in a Bangla handloom sari, said after signing on the dotted line this evening.

As she shared her thoughts on the virtue of organ donation amidst a huge gathering of fans, who had assembled to witness the event at the office of the NGO 'Gana Darpan' in central Kolkata, Nasreen also touched upon the issue of her citizenship.

"I have sought an Indian citizenship from the Government of this country. However, my nationality has nothing to do with my donating the body. Anyone can volunteer to donate one's body anywhere in the world," she said.

Gana Darpan chief Braja Ray said her pledging the body was a very 'humane gesture' and her citizenship was not an issue in this regard.

"Many other Bangladeshis have pledged their bodies to us. So this is nothing novel," he said.