The story of the vegetative existence of Aruna Shanbaugh languishing in a Bombay hospital for the past 37 years makes me immensely sad.
Aruna, a nurse in the KEM Hospital, was brutally attacked by a sweeper who'd put a dog chain around her neck, dragged the hapless girl to a corner and forcefully had anal sex with her(because she was menstruating, if you please) - wonder what has happened to the beast? Hope, he's been sorted out at the gallows long back! Due to the strangulation, the oxygen supply to her brain had stopped and the cortex damaged irreversably. It's said that she's become featherweight, her bones are brittle and is ever prone to bedsores. Her wrists are twisted inwards, teeth decayed and she can only take in mashed food. Her brain is virtually dead and she's oblivious to the happenings around her. And mind you, she's been in this state for the past 37 years ever since that fateful day of 27 Nov '73.
What's the use of such existence? That poor soul needs to be released from this torture. Yes, only God who gives life has the right to take it away. But the same God has told in the Bhagwad Gita that one must also do one's karma - in this case, the collective karma of all Indians is to liberate poor Aruna's soul from continuing agony and therefore, support the plea for euthanasia.
Tailpiece.
If I ever were to be - God forbid - in a similar state I'd happily prefer to be put to rest without histrionics or sentiments. That's the least I expect from my friends and well wishers!
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