Recently, Euthanasia has been discussed widely in India. Why so? Because of one lady who refuses to give up on life even though it has been mean to her and that lady is nurse Aruna Shanbaug from KEM hospital Mumbai. Brutally raped and tortured resulting in severe brain damage way back in 1980 Aruna has been in the hospital where she worked, cared for by her colleagues, over the years.Her colleagues as well as the new members contributing towards caring for her with the same enthusiasm. Loads of articles appeared in the newspapers discussing the issue and questioning the right to take lives and so on. One such article was about voluntarily giving up life.
Jains or followers of Jainism have the permission to give up life voluntarily. This is can be done by individuals after reaching a certain age. Instead of falling victim to ailments and going through grueling treatments individuals choose to give up life peacefully. That is when I was reminded of my grandfather. All of 95 years of age, he entered a hospital for the first time for a hip surgery in Dec' 2000. That was probably the indication that he was ready for the journey to the next level. Alas, we did not see it. But no one does till it actually happens. Then came his age associated ailments the downward swing followed by eventual passing away . What am I getting at? Here is the thing, all of this happened over a period of 6 months and there were signs of grandpa giving up food and clothes gradually and yes voluntarily. It began with with him loosing his ability to speak.Then he lost interest in wearing too many layers of clothing and finally food. He limited his diet to just milk,liquid diet as we call it. And he breathed his last drinking milk. It was like he had a premonition of his impending death and was preparing himself for the same. So did he give up his life voluntarily...?
