In the present world where one shows apathy even towards one’s neighbour, the case of Aruna Shanbaug is unique (“ >After a 42-year struggle, Aruna Shanbaug dies ”, May 19). The way she was looked after by the nurses of Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial Hospital for more than four decades is praiseworthy and unparalleled. This is the true colour of humanity. I do not think there are words to describe our gratitude towards the nurses. They have done more than following their oath of caring for patients.
Udaya Bhasker S.,
Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh
After reading about the tragic story of Aruna, the only question in my mind is this: who was in coma? I think it was the government. The heart-rending case should only strengthen the demand for a tough anti-rape law. One does not have words to quantify and express the dedication put in by the nurses of KEM and Ms.Pinky Virani.
Pranav Phulari,
New Delhi
I was a medical intern at KEM hospital in the 1980s. A week after I joined, I was passing by one of the wards and happened to hear a chilling wail that emanated from behind a closed door. On making discreet enquiries, the nurses told me who the person was and narrated her story. It was Aruna. I wanted to see her but the nurses strictly forbade me from trying this saying that even in her vegetative state, Aruna Shanbaug would react violently if she heard a strange male voice.
Some years later, moving to the United Kingdom as a medical practitioner, I often wondered about Aruna and issues such as euthanasia and the right to live which her case has generated. I have got some of my answers today. But more than all this, I am just spellbound by the way the nurses of KEM have been — selfless.
Dr. Arvind Nair,
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Every Indian is truly proud of the committed nurses and other staff at the KEM hospital who spared no effort to take care of their “child”. At a time when we come across reports of children ignoring and abandoning their aged and ailing parents, the noble act of the staff of KEM hospital rekindles in us a ray of hope of there being compassion amid misfortune. They have done a wonderful job which the nation will forever remember.
M. Jayachandran,
New Delhi
The reason Aruna’s family gave up even the attempt to look after her is on account of “cost”. Therefore, the issue of euthanasia needs to be relooked at in the light of the fact that there could be many more poor and middle-class “Arunas” with no one to take care of them. It is now imperative upon the government to evolve a legal framework around this so that there is dignity in suffering.
B. Harish,
Mangaluru
As a human, the report left me both proud and ashamed; proud that the nurses of KEM have taught us all that there will always be compassion, and ashamed of the barbaric things that were done to the solitary soul.
Divakar Pai,
Thrissur
It is said that KEM staff told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that every new batch of student nurses was introduced to Aruna and told that she was one of them and would continue to be one of them.
The time has also come to debate the right to life and the right to terminate life.
B. Jambulingam,
Thanjavur
Aruna Shanbaug’s “crime” was that she had scolded the ward boy, who later assaulted her, for stealing food meant for stray dogs and which were fed by the hospital staff. One cannot imagine the trauma she must have faced. There is injustice, inequality and imbalance in our world. But what is most important is the lesson the nurses have shown to the world. Compassion.
Monica Tripathi Shukla,
Mohali, Punjab
It is depressing to know that the perpetrator of such a gruesome crime got away lightly and it is society which is to be blamed for this. It is painful that Aruna was denied justice till her end.
Asutosh Yadav,
Chennai
